Mr. Dominick J Florio's Obituary
Dominick John Florio was born on May 1, 1928, in New York City. His parents were Italian immigrants from Bari. He had one sister, Ann. Dominick lost his mother when he was seven-years-old and he and his sister were raised by his father and several aunts. As he grew, into a 6ft-4in tall man, sometimes called "Moose" by his army buddies, he watched his Queens neighborhood grow from a rural town, into a city. He often reminisced about family, friends, and how his father farmed the old vacant lots. Dominick left high school without graduating so that he could work to help support his family. He was very proud to have served in Korea and his patriotism included his love for equal opportunity, unions, and a fair reward for the working person. He was a shipping clerk in a clothing factory, which was far beneath his abilities and intelligence. He met Carmela Picarelli and they married a year later in 1955. They had their first child, a son, Dominic, born in 1959, followed four years later by a daughter, Leonora, and another daughter, Michelle, 18 months after. The family struggled financially but, encouraged by his wife, Dominick easily passed a written exam and was hired by the NY Telephone Company. They moved from an apartment to their first house and eventually were able to buy the family home where Dominick was raised. He worked long hours, climbed many telephone poles and his family remembers his huge frame filling the doorway as he returned home from work, often with snow on his face, ready for a kiss from his wife, a hug from his children and a cup of coffee. After twenty years, Dominick was able to retire and Carmela's "Gentle Giant" as she called him, moved with his wife and children, Dominic and Michelle, to Pinellas Park, Florida, in 1991. The traditions of holidays and parties where everyone was welcome, continued for many years. Older age and failing health caused the Florios to downsize their home, but they continued their hospitality for a number of years. His children took on increasing responsibilities as the couple aged. Dominick was devastated to lose his wife of 58 years in August, 2013. He spent most of the next ten months living with Michelle, who made it possible for him to spend his last months in excellent care and with the love of family. On June 9th, 2014, his tired 86-year-old heart had enough of battling infections and missing his "Baby", his wife. He told all of his children that he loved them and he comfortably died in Hospice care. Dominick is survived by his three children, son-in-law, Mark Fintz, granddaughter, Stephanie, and his dog, Maggie. A celebration of his life will be held Friday, June 13, 2014, at Memorial Park, 5750 49th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33709. Guests will begin to gather at 1:00 pm, service at 2:00 pm, and refreshments immediately following.
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