It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Domenico. Domenico (“Domenic”) left us on May 16, 2024, surrounded by his family, who painfully bid him goodbye, as he started a new journey, and drew to a close his earthly journey of 83 years.
Domenic was born on October 6, 1940 in Sant’Egidio Alla Vibrata, Teramo, Italy. He met his lifelong love Maria Teresa at 16, and, after military service, came to Canada with her in 1963 to start a new life together. Domenic came first to find work and lodging, and he called his Teresa over after she married him by proxy, with his father standing in for him in Italy.
He quickly found employment, and soon became a highly talented bricklayer and stone mason, specializing in refractory work. He revelled in this work, enjoying it every day, until he retired at 68. Throughout his working life he displayed an extraordinary work ethic, and a passion for quality and precision in his work that earned him the respect of his brothers and sisters at the Bricklayers and Allied Crafts Union, Local #1, Hamilton, with whom he shared a special bond. Even after retirement, Domenic attended at Union functions, and he faithfully manned the grill to cook sausages for his colleagues and their families after the Labour Day parades, that he himself marched in, until he devoted himself exclusively to being grill master.
Outside of work, Domenic was an ardent fan of motorsport and of soccer, and faithfully supported Ferrari in F1, and AC Milan in soccer. When he was not working, or spending time enjoying his sports, Domenic could be found in his blue-ribbon garden, where he spent many enjoyable hours working the soil, and growing a harvest that he proudly shared with so many.
Domenic’s greatest passion, however, was his family. He loved us all wholeheartedly, and intensely, and he drew his greatest satisfactions in life from his three children, his son-in-law and daughters-in-law, and his nine grandchildren, and he made sure that we all knew how much we were loved and how proud he was of every one of us. He made each one of us feel important and protected.
He adored his beautiful wife, Maria Teresa, and he made sure that she knew it. The two of them were skilled ballroom dancers who regularly parted the crowds with their displays of dancefloor brilliance.
Domenic was predeceased by his parents Rinaldo and Enrica (Danesi), and by his siblings Angela (Pietro Bartolini), Luigi (Vilma Cherubini), and Elia (Vincenzo Bilanzola).
Domenic is survived by his beloved Maria Teresa (Spinucci), and by his children Rinaldo (Lesa Daw), Denise (Emilio Cicero) and Fabio (Nadia Giordano), and by his grandchildren Kristen, Nicole, Michelangelo, Erica, Rebecca, Lauren, Mateo, Stefano and Serena. He is also survived by his dear brother Berardo (Floriana Scartozzi). He will be deeply missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in Canada and in Italy.
Arrivederci Domenico, Papa, Nonno, and thank you for everything.