ALTAMONT — Emmanuel Joseph Donato Sr. of Altamont, who generously shared his home-grown vegetables as well as his expertise in fixing engines, died at his home on Saturday, June 4, after a courageous battle. He was 63.

Mr. Donato, who was known as “Joe” to friends and family, was born in Albany to Louis and Mary (née Eck) Donato Sr. on Sept. 9, 1952. He was a graduate of Voorheesville’s high school and worked as a carpenter foreman for CR Drywall for over 30 years.

Mr. Donato was an auto racing enthusiast who attended many NASCAR [National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing] races as well as stock-car races at Fonda Speedway where he headed up the pit crew for the stock car driven by his son.

“He was an avid gardener who, during the summer months, was sure to bestow an abundance of veggies on anyone who pulled into his yard,” his family wrote in a tribute. “Joe enjoyed other hobbies such as raising chickens, roosters and other fowl as well as woodworking.”

He was very well known to the community as he carried on his father’s love of tractors and small-engine repair and could almost always be found in his shop, working on making someone’s machine run properly again.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife of almost 40 years, Carol Jean (née Adams) Donato; his daughter, Apryl Jean Donato, of Latham; his son, Emmanuel Joseph Donato Jr., of Schenectady; his grandson, Brad Thomas Ableman, and his granddaughter, Rylee Starr Ableman; his siblings Louis Donato Jr. and his wife, Louise, William Donato, Angel Donato and Aldas Ridgley, John Donato and his wife, Joyce, Peter Donato, Patrick Ddonato, Gerald Donato and his wife, Karen, Wayne Donato and Amy Siegfried; his sisters-in-law, Carol Donato and Susan Donato; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His parents, Louis and Mary Ellen Donato Sr., died before him as did his brothers, Dominick and Thomas Donato, and his sister-in-law, Rita Donato.

Calling hours will be held at Fredendall Funeral Home, 199 Main St, Altamont on June 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at on June 9 at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery in Altamont. Online condolences may be made at fredendallfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hudson Mohawk Chapter Pioneer Gas Engine Association Post Office Box 393 Schoharie, NY 12157 or The Lymphatic Education and Research Foundation, 261 Madison Avenue, ninth floor New York, NY 10016.