Mark A. DeDominick

Mark A. DeDominick, age 72, ended his journey on Earth on Friday, September 12, 2025 at Wynn Hospital, Utica. While he had suffered with physical mobility issues for the past several years, his passing was sudden and unexpected.

Mark was born in Rome Hospital on December 2, 1952. Mark had the extreme good fortune of having Gerardine McCormick Sears as his delivery room nurse. Mark's biological mother was surrendering him to Catholic Charities and Gerry's mother had cared for over 50 Catholic Charity babies over the years. Gerry went home to her parents and begged them to please care for Mark, even though they were now in their fifties. Mark left the hospital on December 8, 1952, in the loving arms of his God chosen parents, Thomas J. and Frances G. McCormick. While most babies only stayed in placement a few weeks, Mark was loved and raised by the entire McCormick family, for 27 years, until he married.

Mark attended Rome Schools and graduated with the Class of 1971. He briefly attended MVCC after graduation and then chose to go to work. Mark worked at Rome Developmental Center and then started a career with the City of Rome Water Department. He retired due to an injury around 1985. Mark then began his college studies through Empire State College and graduated with a degree in labor relations.

Mark was united in marriage with Cynthia Burdick on October 27, 1979 at St. Mary's Church by Rev. Daniel Heintz. A blessed union of almost 45 years, Mark and Cyndi were blessed to have two sons, Matthew and Michael. Being an involved and responsible parent was extremely important to Mark. He coached every sport his boys were involved in with many winning seasons, including a tough win for his Columbus Cougars, where Michael attended, over the St. Peter's Redwings, where Matthew was at the time as a sixth grader! That win made for some tough dinner conversations! Mark also coached Rome American Galiano Team Little League, for many years, with both boys and was fondly remembered by many kids as "Coach D". He went on to trying to revive a Babe Ruth League for the children of Rome, so they could continue to play baseball after Little League ended.

Mark then worked with at-risk children through the Kids Oneida Program trying hard to make a positive difference in the lives of these children.

On top of that "Mr. D" was involved with all of the boy's friends. If they needed advice – he was there to give it – not that it was always the best advice, a ride at 2 a.m. – Mark got the directions and went to get them, he celebrated all of their successes as much as he did his own sons. He took great pride in the fact that his sons maintained strong friendships with so many friends from elementary school to the present.

Mark went on to enjoy being a spectator for his son Matt's teams and in recent years, watching his grandchildren's sporting events.

Mark is survived by his wife, Cynthia; two sons, Matthew A. DeDominick (Kelly) and Michael A. DeDominick (Nicole), both of Rome, NY; along with five beautiful grandchildren who he was thrilled to be watching grow, Thomas Mark, Jack Matthew, Benjamin William, Viviana Marie and Seviano Michael DeDominick. He also leaves two sisters and one brother, Marilyn Fahy, Rome, NY, Mary Ann Valentine (Michael), Scottsdale AZ and William McCormick (Shirley), Sebring FL; two brothers-in-law, William (Judy) Burdick, Kernersville, NC and Robert (Jody) Burdick, Westmoreland, NY; along with many, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews; and a wide host of great friends.

Mark was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Frances; parents-in-law, William and Patricia Burdick; brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Barbara McCormick; sister and brother-in-law, Robert and Geraldine Sears; and brother-in-law, Richard Fahy. He was also predeceased by his nephew, Robert Sears; two nieces, Marilyn Sears Palinski and Amanda Burdick; and one great-niece, Courtney Beth Sears.

Calling hours for Mark will be held at Strong- Burns and Sprock Funeral Home, Merrick Rd., Rome, on Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 3-7 p.m. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Peter's Church, 200 N. James St., Rome, on Friday, September 19, 2025 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers donations are encouraged to the Lake Delta Volunteer Fire Department, who were a great help to Mark in the past month or to St. Jude Children's Hospital.