Donald

Lingo

Donald G. Lingo, passed away on November 5, 2025 at Mabie Northside Skilled Nursing Facility in Hollister, CA. He was 82.

Donald "Donny" was born on July 6, 1943 in Hollister, CA to Ciano Lingo and Florence Lingo. Donny was a lifelong resident of Hollister and San Juan Bautista. Donny attended local grammar and elementary schools and graduated from San Benito Joint Union High School. Donny's passion at  a young age was horses. He had a number of horses, rode in the Hollister Horse Show Parades and  participated in the San Benito County Rodeo.  He also loved his pet dogs through the years, until he had to give them up due to his health.

Donny loved sports, The S.F. Giants were his baseball team, and of course The S.F. 49ers was his  one and only football team. He would say "I only watch my 49ers, I don't watch other football teams". The family owned Bishop's Cafe located on San Benito Street, in Hollister where Donny was a cook  for many years and helped make Bishop's Cafe's well known hamburgers and fries.  He was also known as a great cook of many foods and would share his recipes.  Donny worked at Bishop's Cafe until his mother Florence Lingo, closed the Cafe when his father Ciano Lingo took ill and passed.  Donny was also well known where he resided in San Juan Bautista. Donny worked for many years  at Dona Esther's Mexican Restaurant in San Juan Bautista as a waiter and bartender until he retired.  No matter where Donny went, he always made friends with people, and those friendships became life lasting.  One dear friend said of Donny, "he didn't hold any grudges about anything, and was funny, feisty, and
free spirited".  That was so true. Donny had such a wit to him, his one liners would keep you rolling in laughter..

Donny loved playing Bingo, no matter how near or far. He didn't drive so whoever offered to take him, he didn't  let you pay for gas, or he would take you out to eat. His favorite food was Chinese. He sometimes would even pay for you to play.  Donny always had the luck of the Irish, (as, he had Irish blood from his mother's side). He always won, as many as twice in a night.  In his later years he was a constant at the Senior Citizens weekly outing in San Juan Bautista, helping setting up tables/chairs and of course playing Bingo with a win.  Even in the Nursing Facility, where he looked forward daily to playing Bingo, he would say "look what I won today".

Donny is survived by his siblings, Pat Haro, Linda Camino, sisters, Dennis Lingo, brother.  Caregiver and Niece Debbie Castillo, along with many nieces/nephews, great-nephews/great-nieces, cousins.  Donny was preceded in death by his parents Ciano and Florence Lingo, and sister Shirley Ann Salinas.

As Donny had no children, as his Niece and Caregiver, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to  Bridge Hospice Care, Mabie Northside Nursing Staff and Admin. His roommate there, and each one  of you who visited my Uncle, took him out on outings, and all around made his day...

Burial Service will be on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 11:00a.m. at San Juan Bautista Cemetery,  following with a Reception/Celebration of his Life, at 1:00p.m. in the VFW Hall in San Juan Bautista,  CA.  All are welcome to attend. Both will be officiated by nephew Rev. Ernie Castillo, Water of Life Christian Church.