CURIA GENERALIZIA MARIANISTI
Via Latina 22 - 00179 Roma, Italia
Tel. (39-06) 704 75 892 - Fax (39-06) 700 0406
E-mail: gencomm@smcuria.it

Death Notice No. 25 (To all Unit Administrations): September 2, 2006

The Province of Madrid, recommends to our fraternal prayers our dear brother, DONATO BOLINAGA, who died in the service of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 30, 2006 in Madrid in the 91st year of his age and the 74th year of his religious profession.

Donato Bolinaga Pinedo was born on August 23, 1916 in Payueta (Alava), Spain. He was the son of Esteban and Petra. On September 28, 1929 he entered the postulate at Escoriaza. He began his novitiate in Elorrio (Vizcaya) and, on July 9, 1932, professed vows for the first time.

Donato made his scholasticate in Segovia (1933-1936) and completed his degree. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) he was stationed in San Sabastián teaching very young children. He was called to military service in 1937 and assigned to an artillery regiment in San Sabastián. He was able to continue giving his classes at the school during this time. In the years following the war, he was stationed in Vitoria (1939-1949) and Tetuán (1940-1942). He made his perpetual profession in Escoriaza on August 15, 1941.

In 1942, Donato was sent to Zaragoza to study natural sciences. For the vast majority of the following years, he served as a teacher of natural sciences in various schools: Valencia (1944-1947). Tetuán (1947-1948), Tánger (1948-1958), Jarez (1958-1961) and Ciudad Real (1961-1962).

In 1962 he was sent to Colegio del Pilar in Madrid as treasurer, remaining there until 1967. Later, he served in the same capacity in Ciudad Real.

The longest period of his life spent in a single community was the 30 years he spent in Ciudad Real (1967-1997). There he was very popular and beloved. He was a great fan of sports, especially volleyball and basketball. He became good friends with the two women who had given shelter in their homes to our martyrs and he used to like to go with the other brothers to visit them. His generosity and simplicity touched the hearts of all he encountered.

In 1997, as he began to show the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s, he was assigned to the community at Siquem. He remained in this community until his death.
Donato’s life gives witness to a deeply good and simple religious. We thank God for this legacy. May he rest in peace!