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DOMINICK DEPAOLA Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for DOMINICK DEPAOLA
Sponsored by Michael and JoAnn Alfano.
Bill Ryan
April 12, 2024
It has been a long time since I have been without Dom, and I still think of him and miss him. He will always be in my thoughts and is in my prayers.
Nevin zablotsky
April 12, 2019
I still remember Dom's words of guidance and still think of him often.
June 20, 2013
I just read in the St. Francis College's alumni news about Dom's recent sudden passing. I was a classmate and remember so well the three musketeers, Dom, John Carlo and Thad Josefawitz. I was a fellow bio grad '64 and have followed Dom's illustrious career with interest through the college alumni news. My prayers for the repose of Dom's soul as well as for the peace and comfort of you, Rosemary and all your family and friends. Ray Makofske, '64
Stanley Bergman
May 16, 2013
Dear Rosemary,
It is with great sadness that I write on behalf of all of Dom and your friends at Henry Schein and the Bergman family to send our deepest condolences to you and your family on the passing away of our dear friend, Dom.
Dom was truly a visionary leader in the field of oral health education, and his impact on young aspiring dentists and the industry has been profound. His adept leadership of the Forsyth Institute, the American Dental Education Association, American Association for Dental Research, a multitude of our country's premier academic institutions, as well as countless non-profit institutions has immeasurably changed the field of oral health care in this country.
Dom had an extraordinary ability to build deep and lasting friendships and relationships with family, friends, colleagues, students and associates. His life was surrounded by so many that had very strong feelings for him, including many members of Team Schein. A wonderful friend and very special person, Dom lived a rich life and he will be sorely missed by many.
We hope that your pain and sorrow will be comforted by your loving and proud memories of Dom. Please extend our deepest sympathy to your family. You are very much in the thoughts of your many friends at Team Schein.
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Uncle Dom & I (Jonathan, his nephew) Christmas 2010.
Jonathan DiDonato
April 23, 2013
Hi everyone. I'm Jonathan, Dominick's nephew. As you can imagine, much like everyone else, I have been in a state of shock and heartbreak all week. When I was told my uncle Dom had passed away a week ago today, my heart literally dropped to the floor.
Although I only saw my uncle a few times a year, most especially at Christmastime, his presence was felt year round. Though I do admit, when December and the holidays rolled around, it wasn't just Christmas I was looking forward to; it was seeing Uncle Dom and his family (my aunt Rosemary, his daughter Alexis, and son-in-law Gaetano). Their company is/was always so much fun!
When you're a young kid around the holidays, the cause of your excitement tends to be what gifts you're going to get on Christmas morning. As I got older, I realized the most important part of the holidays was family. Admittedly, I'm a child at heart and don't mind opening up a gift here or there...haha...but truthfully, it was seeing my uncle Dom, aunt Ro and family greet us at the door on December 22nd that made me love Christmas. Whenever he and his family arrived at our house (where they'd stay for the duration of the holidays), the magic truly began. My uncle, whether he knew it or not, helped me realize that family (and friends) was the best part about Christmas and any other holiday. I can honestly say that he was the essence of what family should be...someone who didn't like drama, joked around a lot, and was all-around great company.
I was talking to my friend Michael a day or two after my uncle had passed, and he said something that really stayed with me. He said that, although he had only met my uncle on one occasion and had seen some of what he was like through some funny clips I had recorded from various holidays over the years, Mike was able to get a true sense of who my uncle was. Michael said, "You could just tell that Dom was a good man--who loved his family...and loved life." I couldn't have said it better myself. Here was a friend who didn't know my uncle well at all, but was able to tell that just by meeting him once or twice. To me, that was awesome. That was just the vibe that my uncle Dom gave off; how right my friend Michael was.
Besides aspiring to be like my uncle as a professional (as his accolades in the field of dentistry were phenomenal; though you'd never know it because he was so humble), it's him as a person and as an uncle that I hope to carry with me forever. I have a young nephew and niece and I said to myself, when they were born, that I'd hope I can be that uncle the kids can't wait to see. You know, the uncle that was just a blast to be around. Naturally, my inspiration was and is my Uncle Dom.
In conclusion, I'd like to say that I am going to miss my uncle Dom's company, his laughter, and his goodness. He was not afraid to tell you how he felt ("This is my favorite guy right here!" he'd tell me) and offered a kindess that was infectious.
Thanks for the memories, Uncle Dom. I'll miss you deeply, but your memory will live on inside of me forever. I'll smile whenever I think of you.
God Bless and Rest in Peace.
Love Your Nephew,
Jonathan (DiDonato)
Thank you Cuz for being you. Will miss your Laugh!
Joe Severino
April 22, 2013
Peter DuBois
April 21, 2013
Dom leaves one of the great legacies in Dentistry and oral health care generally. His vision, insights and energy will continue to inspire those of us who knew him. He was a blessing in our lives. Rosemary and Alexis, thank you for sharing him with us.
Peter DuBois
Riva Touger-Decker
April 21, 2013
My sincerest sympathies to Rosemary and Alexis; Dom was a mentor, colleague and friend; he was one of the first and foremost visionaries and leaders in the world of nutrition and dentistry; his insight and guidance to many will be long remembered. With wishes for comfort in fond memories.
Riva Touger-Decker
Karen Duke
April 20, 2013
Dear Rosemary and Alexis,
I am so saddened to hear of the untimely passing of my friend and former boss, Dom. I cannot tell you what an honor and pleasure it was to work for him as his assistant in the Dean's Office at The Univ of Texas Dental School at San Antonio. Every time I think of him, it brings a big smile to my face. I always looked forward to seeing the two of you at meetings around the country. I will treasure the memories I hold of him in my heart. I will miss him dearly. Rosemary and Alexis, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rick Valachovic
April 20, 2013
Dom is and will remain an icon in health professions education and research. His passing cannot diminish the light of leadership that he brought to our professions. It is now our responsibility to carry on his legacy. He was a key mentor to me throughout my career as he was to so many others. On behalf of all of us at ADEA, Mary Kay and I send our deepest sympathies to Rosemary and Alexis.
April 20, 2013
Was this the Dominick DePaola that ee Cummings included in a poem?
Mary Rooney
Steve and Sharon Kess
April 20, 2013
A remarkable individual,mentor and friend. You always sought ways to help those less fortunate and in need. I am sure your dear friend Larry is waiting for you at the Pearly G ages to start up an SfFG in heaven. All of our sympathy goes to Rosemary and.Alexis on. Their tremendous loss. Always,with love.
Raul Garcia
April 19, 2013
Dom was an extraordinary and gifted human being. A brilliant man, and also just a regular guy, with a kind and generous heart and a great sense of humor. He was a friend and mentor to me and I feel privileged and blessed to have known him. My deepest sympathies to his family for their loss.
Leslie Grant
April 19, 2013
Dear Rosemary,
Please accept my condolences on the passing of a wonderful leader, mentor and friend. He is truly missed.
Arthur Dugoni
April 19, 2013
Dom DePaola was a rare jewel that enlightened everyone who was fortunate to know him. He touched lives, made a difference, and left behind millions of memories and thousands of individuals who loved him. I was fortunate to be one of those individuals;a friend, colleague, and admirer for over four decades. My prayers and deepest sympathy to Rosemary and Alexis. He will always be in my heart.
Happy times with Dom celebrating his birthday.
James Hupp
April 19, 2013
Carmen and I are so saddened to learn of Dom's passing. We admired is great intellect, leadership skills and sense of humor. We and the world will miss him.
April 19, 2013
To Dom's Family and Friends,
We met Dom more than 40 years ago and have cherished his friendship these many years. He remains to us "bigger than life" and his personal and professional legacy lives on.
We wish Rosemary and Alexis all of those good memories, the health and courage to move through this transition, and, always, to know we love them and wish them continued strength and a lifetime of wonderful memories (and there are many).
Love, Hal and Lois
Marina Del Rey, California
Marion Bergman
April 19, 2013
It is with great sadness that I would like to express my profound condolences to Rosemary and the family of Dom DePaola, the guiding light, mentor and inspiration behind my decision in 2007 to lead MCW's Oral Health Project of coordinating the refurbishing and upgrading of Tanzania's only Dental School at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, in Dar es Salaam. I would like Rosemary and all Dom's loved ones to know what a unique role he played in improving oral health for the people of Tanzania. May he rest in peace and be remembered forever.
John Baldwin
April 19, 2013
I send my deepest condolences to Rosemary and Alexis. Dom was a great teacher, caregiver, and leader, but he was, more important, a kind, humble, genuine person of absolute integrity and easy, great humour. While my loss is incomparable with yours, I have lost one of my very best friends. It is hard for me to imagine life without him.
John
John C. Baldwin, M.D.
Foti Panagakos
April 19, 2013
Words can not express what Dom meant to me and my career in academics and now industry. His mentorship and encouragement allowed me to pursue a path that has been enriching and with purpose. I will truly miss him. My deepest condolences and prayers for Rosemary and Alexis.
April 19, 2013
Edi and I wish to express our deep sadness at the passing of a friend, a mentor and a confidant. It is difficult to imagine a world without Dom being in it, though he will always be a part of who we are. Condolences to Rosemary and Alexis
Richie Vogel
Bill Ryan
April 19, 2013
A kind and gentle friend, first and foremost.
April 18, 2013
Rosemary, my deepest condolences.
It has not been a kind year to us, for this is the second time in a very short period that I'm very saddened.
Dom has left behind many friends and has made many lives better and happier.
May he rest in peace.
Miki Kuftinec, Palm Harbor FL
Michael Alfano
April 18, 2013
Forty two years ago I walked into a research lab as a novice PhD candidate at MIT. Sitting in the corner of the lab was Dom DePaola. He said, "You're the new guy... name is Alfano right?" I said yes. "He then said, great, we need another Italian around here to liven things up!" He then proceeded to counsel me about MIT, dental practice, Red Sox fans, pasta and life, seemingly without taking a breath; and he didn't stop until this past Tuesday night. Along the way, he somehow managed to have the most amazing career, nurture a wonderful family, and deeply touch the hearts of the thousands of students, scientists, business people and administrators who came to know and love him throughout the world. Dom was laser sharp, wonderfully funny, creative, impatient, and amazingly energetic. In fact, with Dom, you would never take his pulse to see how he was doing, you would count the number of pumps of his right knee while he was sitting burning all of his excess nervous energy.
Dom was a natural leader, and he rose to lead several significant organizations. From time to time, if he thought I was going soft on some issue, he would quote me a line from The Godfather - "It is better to be feared than to be loved." (There were other Godfather lines, but they are not mixed company!) But, his followers never feared him; they respected him AND they loved him. And I am proud to count myself among those followers.
My heart goes out to Dom's family - Rosemary, Alexis and most recently Gaetano. JoAnn and I have been privileged to be their friends and to share so many special times with them. It wasn't supposed to end this way. Dom and I were supposed to be playing golf together in Florida for many years to come, burdened only by the decision of where to have dinner.
I miss him so much already. Yesterday, someone told me a baseball joke. My first inclination was to pick up the phone to tell it to Dom. I miss his leadership, his passion, his humor, his humanism, his wit, his insight, his guidance and his friendship. In fact, I miss everything about Dom except his backswing.
I love you Dom.
Nevin Zablotsky
April 18, 2013
I was filled with great sadness at hearing of Dom's passing. Over the past 1 1/2,yrs he has been a mentor and role model for me. The world has lost an incredible person. My prayers are with Rosemary, Alexis, and Guy in this time of grief.
Tony Iacopino
April 18, 2013
Condolences to Rosemary and Alexis. Dom was truly a great man and excelled in everything he was involved in. He was a mentor and role model providing a tremendous foundation for my academic career at the Baylor College of Dentistry. I think of him often and will continue to do so in the future. He touched many lives and will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.
Mary-Kathleen Boston
April 18, 2013
The world has lost a great man. Dr. DePaola was a great leader, a loving family man and a friend to all. I was blessed to have worked for him. My deepest sympathies to Rosemary, Alexis and his extended family.
April 18, 2013
Our condolences to Dr. Depaola's family.
he is in our prayers.
Brian and Carolyn White
Cindy Ceen
April 18, 2013
We are shocked and saddened. He brought me back home to Dallas in 1991 to be his assistant and I was so fortunate to work with him at Baylor College of Dentistry. A profound loss to his family, friends and the entire oral health community.
Rosalie Marin
April 18, 2013
My condolences to Dr. D's family. He was such a special, humble, knowledgeable, person. He brought happiness to whoever met him. I thank God dearly for allowing me the opportunity of working with him as his assistant @ NSU-CDM but most of all knowing him. I will miss him dearly.
My thoughts and prayers with Rosemary and Alexis.
George Weinstein, AAL
April 18, 2013
My condolences to Dr. DePaola's family. I will miss Dom greatly; we shared a love of reading, scholarship, and education. Not only was he a learned man, but he also was warm, compassionate, and funny. I was privileged to know him.
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