Dominic Anthony De Leo, a devoted husband, loving father and veteran of World War II, passed away on Tuesday, May 4, at the age of 86. He was surrounded by his beloved wife, Dorothy, and his six adoring children. Dominic was born in Brooklyn on December 30, 1923, to Antoinette and Santo De Leo. He had four siblings: Phyllis, Anna, Frank and Angelo. He graduated from New Utrecht High School at 16 and attended St. John's University. In 1942, on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, he joined the Navy and was trained as a radioman. Twice a ship he was assigned to was torpedoed and sunk. As the ship's chief communications officer, he stayed on the sinking ship longer than anyone else to send Mayday signals. He was honorably discharged in 1942 and served in the Reserves until 1962. He graduated from NYU School of Foreign Trade, and he studied to be a chiropractor. Dominic married the love of his life, Dorothy Terranova. He met Dorothy at a VJ Day block party after calling out, "Who wants to kiss a sailor." Violet Terranova, his future mother in-law, stepped forward. She introduced Dom to Dorothy, and Dom declared she was the one he would marry. And they did in 1947. They started a family and in 1962 moved to Pearl River, where they raised Diane, Maryann, Dominic, David, Dorothea and Daniel. A son born in 1954 only survived two days. He spent 31 years as a foreman with the New York Sanitation Department. He worked for D.C. Andrews, Dyson Shipping Company, Sheffield Dairy, was a licensed realtor and notary republic. Dominic rooted for his beloved Brooklyn Dodgers and was overjoyed when they won the World Series. He had a curious, brilliant mind and enjoyed organic gardening, gadgets, technology, photography and was a champion handball player. He was an avid reader and did two crossword puzzles in pen every morning. His favorite books were the Bible and The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus (serving as financial secretary), the American Legion, the VFW, the Christian Family Movement (CFM), and St. Margaret's in Pearl River. He was a Democratic Party committeeman. Dominic loved life, lived passionately and by example encouraged his children to do the same. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, his daughters Diane, Maryann and Dorothea, and his sons Dominic, David and Daniel, his daughter in laws, Carolyn Bogart De Leo, of Jackson, MS, LindaLee Colavito De Leo of Balmville, NY, and Joanna Weiss of Milton, MA, and 12 grandchildren, Michael, Jeremy, Christopher, Lena, Dante, Lara, Dean, Kristyn, Jenni, Ethan, Ava and Jesse and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Anna, and brother, Angelo. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 6, 7-9 p.m. and Friday, May 7, 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., at Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home in Pearl River, NY. There will be a funeral mass held at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Pearl River on Saturday, May 8 at 9:30 a.m. Interment will take place following the mass at Frederick Loeschser Veterans Cemetery in New Hempstead, NY. Donations in his honor can be made to EFFORTS.com, a non-profit organization for people with COPD. WYMAN-FISHER FUNERAL HOME INC. 100 Franklin Ave. Pearl River, NY 10965 845-735-2161 |
