Donald Mastri – painter, art director, Ferrari fan, cat dad, husband, First Thursday member, and friend to many – passed away on April 25 after a long illness that stripped away his mobility, but never his will to live.

Don was a son of Scranton, PA who found success in the New York advertising world of the 1960s-2000s, and a Norwalk, CT transplant who took up plein air painting in retirement to the delight of anyone lucky enough to be gifted a canvas. He loved to cook (and eat!), fine cocktails and a good cigar. He was always ready with a sly comment, a humorous retort or an off-color take on a cherished song lyric. Fewer things made him happier than a walk in the woods or a morning at the beach. And he continued to impress at Jeopardy until the last few days of his life.

Don is survived by his wife Megan Svensen, sister Christine Murphy, brothers Larry, David and Gerry Mastri, their spouses, his Svensen/Shifflett outlaws, and many loving nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery (1211 VT-74, Cornwall, VT 05753) on Friday, May 2 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society at cthumane.org.