Cwo4 Felix B. Dominicci (Ret.)

Felix B. Dominicci, a retired United States Navy veteran, 93, of Virginia Beach, passed away peacefully at home on March 23, 2025 surrounded by his four children. Born June 6, 1931, in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico to Ana Luisa Dominicci, Felix lived a life shaped by love for his homeland, his country, and the family that he built with his wife of 60 years, Raquel.
Born on a coffee plantation, Felix was orphaned at a young age and raised by relatives in both Puerto Rico and New York City. He enlisted Aug. 30,1950, as a Radarman and attained the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer in 1964. He joined the Warrant Officer program as WO-1 in 1967 and retired as Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO4) Sept. 1, 1980, completing 30 years of service.
His duty stations included: FTC Dam Neck VA (1951); USS Salem (CA-139) Boston MA (1951-1954); FTG Guantanamo Bay Cuba (1954-1957); FTC Treasure Island CA & FTC San Diego CA (1957); USS Macon (CA-132)(1958-1960); NMCRTC, Trenton NJ (1960-1962); USS Hissem (DER-400) Newport RI (1962-1964); CONCRUDESLANT Newport RI (1964-1967); NRS Fort Allen PR (1967-1971); BJU-2 Little Creek VA (1971-1975); USS Nimitz (CVN-68) (1975-1977); and CINCLANTFLT, Norfolk VA (1977-1980). His awards include: National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Fourth Good Conduct Award for period ending 18 Sep 63, Antarctica Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal and Navy Occupation Service Medal with Europe Clasp Battle Efficiency Award.
Following his naval career, Felix served 15-years in civil service. In retirement, he operated his own tax preparation business while serving faithfully as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at Thalia Lynn Baptist Church. At age 85, he published his memoir, 'Felito, A Balanced Life'.
While a dedicated career man, Felix's most cherished roles were husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. When his first grandchild couldn't say "Abuelo," Felix became "Bobo," a nickname that stuck for generations. Though "bobo" in Puerto Rican Spanish suggests simplicity, Felix embraced it with joy, filling his precious "nietos" lives with laughter, endless games of dominoes, beach vacations in Corolla, and ridiculous generosity. To know Felix was to quickly learn this truth: no one ever, since the dawn of time, has been more proud of his family.
Felix embodied the very best of the American Dream. Through hard work and sacrifice, he built a life that many would have thought impossible. Yet his deeper wisdom lay in understanding that success wasn't about personal achievement - it was about creating a legacy of generosity and belonging. He relentlessly sacrificed for others, whether someone from his Spanish church, a neighbor in need, or a grandson hoping to drive the "cool car" to prom. If you showed up at Felix and Raquel's house on Earl of Balfon Circle, you weren't just offered a seat and a plate of arroz con pollo - you were welcomed into the family. The orphaned boy who once struggled to find his place had created a home where everyone belonged.
Felix was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Raquel Arroyo; his mother, Ana Luisa Dominicci; his uncle, Enrique "Henry" Dominicci; his cousin Elsa Pollack and her husband George and his half-brother, Ramon Rodriquez. Felix leaves behind a powerful legacy through his four children: David (Patricia) Dominicci, Ana (F. Bennett) Strickland, Ruth (C. David) Hill, and Phillip (Christine) Dominicci. His family grew to include eleven cherished grandchildren: Elizabeth (Shaun) Dominicci-Greer, Maria Dominicci, Daniel (Lindsey) Strickland, Nina (M.Travis) Simone, Ruth (Tom) Weiglein, Peter (Ann) Strickland, Joshua (Caris) Hill, Caleb (Grace) Hill, Rebecca (S. Austin) Ward, Nicholas Dominicci, and Austin (Dana) Patterson. His legacy extends to twenty-two great-grandchildren: Adelyn, Carter, Jack and Ben Strickland; Sophia, Olivia, Leila and Ruth Simone; Saul, Granger and Zadie Weiglein; Mia Strickland; Lilly, Charlotte and Ellis Hill; Charles, Amelia and Emma Hill; Isabel and Judah Ward; and Quinn and Reese Patterson. The family offers their heartfelt gratitude to his dedicated caregivers who provided compassionate care and support: Felicita Algarin, Rosa DelaRosa, Veronica Moina, Maria Matienzo, and Johanna Sterling.
A viewing will be held Thursday, April 3rd, 6:00- 8:00 p.m. at Hollomon-Brown, Great Neck Chapel, 1264 N Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, April 4th at 11:00 a.m. at Spring Branch Community Church, 1500 N Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach. Burial will be private for family and invited guests. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (choose Tribute Gift) at nmcrs.org or Young Life at vbnorthandcapernaum.younglife.org.