Domenic “Dom” Joseph Lupo

Dom Lupo, 93, died peacefully at home on May 13, 2013, surrounded by his loving wife, Maxine, and his daughter, Sue Lupo and her partner, Naomi. Dom and Maxine were residents of Ramona for over 25 years where they built a life together sharing golf, travel, and their precious dog, Binky.
Dom was born May 27, 1919, in Waltham, MA. A child of Italian immigrants, he won a four year scholarship to the Child Walker School of Design in Boston to study illustration.
After serving with the Marines during World War II, he moved to New York City and later to Briarcliff Manor, NY, to begin his career as an illustrator. Dom, a devoted husband to his first wife, Mary, and father of four, ran an active household filled with compassion and a sense of humor. He began the Briarcliff Badminton Club in the 1950's that still exists today. He was an avid tennis player who raised all four of his children to play the game. Dom and Mary moved to California in 1978 for Mary's health and after her death in 1981 he married his good friend, Maxine Van Evera, an author and member of the LPGA, who was teaching at the San Diego Golf Academy. He illustrated her first golf instruction book along with several others throughout their marriage. It was a wonderful partnership.
As a commercial artist, Dom's career in print media covered many topics – from children's books to the Boy Scout Handbook cover, and any number of travel and industrial illustrations. As a young commercial artist just starting out, Dom called it 'feast or famine' and he took every opportunity to perfect his craft, from painting copies of Admiral Perry's medals to doing bra illustrations for a Canadian company. In the mid 1960's he turned his talent exclusively to golf artwork and became Golf Magazine's lead illustrator for the next 25 years. Dom's artwork graces the pages of over 30 books for many of the world's leading golfers, including two for his wife, Maxine, and his paintings include 10 years of golf inductees into the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, FL. He was voted in as a member of the elite "Society of Illustrators" in New York in 1954, where he retained his membership up until his death.
In 2003, Dom and Maxine's house was lost completely in the San Diego Cedar fire where they lost everything, including all of Dom's beautiful paintings. Their strength and determination, however, got them through that difficult time and they rebuilt their home exactly as it was When Dom retired from illustrating, he continued to enjoy the world of art by doing watercolors and portraits. "I've made a living out of something I love that they've paid me to do." Dom woke up every morning with a smile and so much enthusiasm to tackle the day. It was a true gift that he passed on to his family.
He was preceded in death first by his lovely wife, Mary (Hooper) Lupo; siblings, Angie, Mary, Nick, Chris and Marguerite and their spouses; and his best friend, Harvey Kidder. He leaves behind, along with his wife, Maxine; brother, John of North Reading, Mass; children, Sue Lupo and her partner, Naomi Astyk, of Beverly, MA, Peggy and Gene Cadman of West Yarmouth, MA, Sally and Jon Brown of York, ME, and David and Lois Lupo of Niskayuna, NY; stepson, Jim and Connie Van Evera of Encinitas, CA; stepson, Robert Van Evera of Cancun, Mexico; along with nine grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2013, at 4 PM at the First Congregational Church of Ramona, 404 8th Street, Ramona.