Don T Sherrillo's Obituary
In Loving Memory
August 15, 1939 - July 20, 2026
It is with great sadness, but with loving and grateful hearts, that the Sherrillo family
announces the passing of Don T. Sherrillo (Dominick Anthony Sherrillo) at the age of 86. He was a beloved husband, father, Papo, and friend.
Don was deeply proud of his Italian heritage, but he defined his life most of all through his relationships to the people he loved. He shared 48 years of marriage with his wife, Patricia Sherrillo, and was a devoted father to his children: Nick, Troy, Letrice (Phil), Scott (Lisa), and Michael (Jessica). He was Papo to his grandchildren, Nicholas, Ashley, Max, Ania, Cailin, and Archer Sherrillo, and Gpa to his great-grandchildren, Levi, James, and Nora. He treasured his extended family, including the Gelenteres, Klintworths, and Hartmans, and the roles he held as a brother-in-law and uncle. He cherished his chosen families, the Chenowths, Rojos, and Meridiths, just as deeply.
Don loved holidays and the warmth of decorating and celebrating with beloved friends and family. He was a collector of Disney, Dickens Village, and Kinkaide pieces. His favorite traditions included mudslides, lemon meringue pies, and decorating Christmas cookies with loved ones. After any celebration involving gifts, he always looked forward to a good wrapping paper, silly string, or water gun fight at the end.
Don leaves behind a legacy of residential and commercial projects bearing his mark. He found satisfaction in seeing tangible results at the end of the day and enjoyed teaching and mentoring through adult carpentry apprenticeship programs. He was a skilled craftsman and a natural problem solver. He built seven houses, selling all but the last. That house became his forever home with his wife and remained his favorite project to work on until his final days. As a proud union carpenter, his specialties were layout and stairs. He was disciplined with his finances and lived by deeply held values of loyalty and friendship.
Along with Black Russians and black coffee, Don’s passions included road trips, with every state but Alaska checked off his list, and his red and blue 1965 and 1966 Corvettes. He loved taking the cars to Main Street car shows and Trunk or Treat nights. Most of all, he loved people and good conversation.
It wouldn’t be heaven to Don without a breakfast diner filled with old friends, banter, jokes, and stories. That is where he will be waiting for anyone who wants to join him. He will be where he was happiest, sitting at the counter with an empty seat beside him, waiting for you.
Please join our celebration of life gathering Thursday, August 6, 2:00pm.
Marechiaro's Italian Restaurant
14120 Olde Hwy 80, El Cajon, CA 92021
What’s your fondest memory of Don?
What’s a lesson you learned from Don?
Share a story where Don's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Don you’ll never forget.
How did Don make you smile?
