‘Larger than life.’ Police and education philanthropist Anthony Damato, dies at 53
The aroma of Papa John’s cheese pizza wafted through the air-conditioning vents and seeped into each classroom at W.J. Bryan Elementary School. When Anthony Damato served as principal of the day, he’d often bring boxes of pizza for about 700 students, faculty and staff, said Principal Milagros Maytin-Miret.
“We kind of adopted him as an honorary Bryan Lion,” Maytin-Miret said, in reference to the North Miami school’s namesake and mascot. “He was just larger than life; whenever he came in you could feel his presence. He is a part of our school family that we’re really going to miss.”
Some elementary kids knew him as the pizza guy. Family and friends remember him as a supporter of education, law enforcement and an advocate against childhood cancer.
He never hesitated to send a heartwarming text or rent a U-Haul chock-full of supplies for children in need.
Damato, a VIP Sales manager at Toyota of North Miami, died July 28 at Memorial Hospital Miramar, after battling COVID-19 for about two weeks. He was 53.
Brittney Damato, a Nova Southeastern University psychology doctoral student, said her father acted as the voice of reason when she felt overwhelmed, or as a stand-up comedian, cracking jokes about how he would help open “Dr. Damato’s first clinic.”
During hectic shifts at her waitress job, her father would drive an hour to Boca Raton and barge through the doors with a bouquet of neatly wrapped flowers, she said.
“I look up and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, Dad, what are you doing here?’ the 27-year-old said. “He’d show up even if it was for a couple minutes just to say hi.”
Brittney Damato said her father always had an altruistic nature. When she was little, the night before Thanksgiving her family would drive around the neighborhood handing out turkeys and Thanksgiving meals, she said.
Born in Long Island, New York, Anthony Damato was adopted at a young age and moved to South Florida as an adult to continue his fervor for philanthropy and explore job opportunities. Through his adoptive parents, he learned about the value of compassion and kindness, his daughter said.
“Coming from that background of being put up for adoption, you kind of understand that there always is that other side of things: the people who aren’t as fortunate, the people who stay in foster care,” she said.
It feels strange, she said, without his spontaneous visits, the annual donation drives or his warm voice.
“I feel a lot of shock,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve gotten to the point of really processing everything.”
Advocate for education
His smile was infectious, said Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. He said Damato was one of the few people who could lift him off his feet — literally — when they hugged. The superintendent, who knew Damato for about eight years, said Damato’s selfless acts and desire to do good deeds cultivated their friendship. For months, he said, Damato volunteered for the Meals on Wheels program during the onset of the pandemic.
“Rain or shine, Anthony would be there handing out meals, delivering masks that he bought out of his own pocket, ice cream, toys for kids, books,” Carvalho said. “There was nothing that he wouldn’t do, if he knew someone was in need.”
When Damato and Carvalho learned a dozen kids were living in unacceptable conditions in Redland, Damato’s generosity poured forth. He brought bicycles for the kids and new mattresses to replace the ones soiled and infested with lice.
“Anthony was someone who came across to me as being in this race to reinvent himself into a better version of him every single day.” Carvalho said. “No matter how good he was yesterday, today, he was going to try to do something to improve upon it, only by doing good things for others. That’s a premise I think any one of us would miss.”
Supporter of law enforcement
Damato was never an absent donor, North Miami Police Chief Larry Juriga said, but one who attended ceremonies and shook hands with the honored.
“His kind words were just as impactful as, if not more so, the generous financial donations he would make,” he said.
As a supporter of law enforcement, Damato founded the We Care Program at Toyota North Miami and partnered with the Community Police Relations Foundation to honor the officer of the year with three-year car leases.
David de la Espriella, former president of the Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police who helped organize the May 25 event, remembers Damato’s attention to detail. As the honor guard practiced before the ceremony, he ensured they had food and refreshments. He checked that the event ran smoothly, chairs were spaced to follow COVID-19 guidelines and guests and honorees felt revered.
“He must have been a phenomenal car salesman because his customer service skills were through the roof,” Espriella said.
Helping the less fortunate
Damato woke up at 4 every morning to lift weights and commemorate his progress with a gym selfie. He’d later send a text with a motivational message to someone like “his sister” Diana Venturini and set up a game plan on how to better service the homeless and migrant children.
“He would call me sometimes and, say, ‘What are you doing?’”
“And I’m like, ‘Oh, I just got home.’”
“And he goes, ‘OK, I’m picking you up.’”
He woke up every morning to see how he could help, said Venturini, the executive director for fund and resource development for Miami-Dade schools.
Through the We Care program, Damato also donated vehicles to Miami-Dade principals and employees of the year.
When he found the homeless crowded beneath a bridge, he’d step out of his car and listen to their stories. Afterward, he’d asked what they needed and loaded his pickup truck with random sneaker sizes and coolers of water, Venturini said.
During the annual back-to-school drives for migrant camps last fall, Damato went to Walmart to buy speakers and headphones for teens.
“I think one of the things to understand is that he never said no. If there was anything that he could do to help one child with a minor pencil case to 50, 60 bicycles,” she said, “if he could do it, if it was in his power to do it, he would.”
Silvia Vanni shared the same sentiment.
As the executive director of the Mystic Force Foundation and Heroes Hangout, her organization raises money for childhood cancer research as well as ensures children are happy as they undergo treatment. Vanni said Damato worked directly with the kids, wrapped his car during end of treatment parades and remodeled the bathroom inside the Heroes Hangout to include multicolor polka dots and positive messages.
“He has such a beautiful soul. How could he possibly be gone?” she said.
Although Vanni misses him, she said she’s grateful for all the random calls of encouragement and subsequent voicemails.
“I’m so thankful that I didn’t erase one of those messages, because I just came across it recently,” she said with a sigh. “I can’t even tell you how that felt to hear his voice again.”
Services were held Aug. 28 at W.J. Bryan Elementary. Survivors include his daughter, Brittney Damato. Family and friends will continue his We Care program and further partnerships with Miami-Dade County Public schools and law enforcement.
This story was originally published October 5, 2021 at 3:06 PM.