Dominic Carl D'Angelo

Dominic D’Angelo passed away on Thursday, December 15 at the age of 80 following a long battle with a rare form of Myasthenia Gravis. Dominic died peacefully in the arms of his wife of 33 years, Joanne Patton. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sister, Marguerite Roberti, and her husband, Bob; two nieces, Melanie Sarafini and Adriana Dilworth; two grandnieces; and three grandnephews.

Born in Sudbury, Canada to Rocco and Faustina D’Angelo, Dominic was on ice skates soon after he could walk and spent most days from morning till night at the skating rink perfecting his hockey skills. His success in the sport made him a regional champ and led to his playing in semi-professional leagues in both Canada and the U.S.

Initially a high school dropout, Dominic became a first-generation college student under the guidance of his uncle and aunt, Joe and Sylvia Drago, who recognized his undeveloped potential. After finishing high school at the age of 20, Dominic received a hockey scholarship from Saint Lawrence University in Canton, New York. There, he went on to earn both a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s Degree in Counseling. He later earned a Doctorate Degree in Education from West Virginia State University. Dominic worked as a counselor at Frostburg State College, where he served for a period of time as Interim Director of its Counseling Center. Eventually, Dominic’s career evolved into human resources. He became Director of Personnel for Brown Distributing Company and later Vice President of Human Resources at the West Palm Beach location of SYSCO Corporation. He retired in 2002.

Dominic was truly a lover of life. He entered retirement with zest, seizing numerous opportunities to have fun and enjoy meaningful activities with family and friends. He continued his passion for sports, gaining a reputation as one of the best squash players in Palm Beach County. He also enjoyed playing tennis and pickleball. Dominic used his counseling and conflict resolution skills as a Court Appointed Small Claims mediator; was an usher at the Kravis Center for several years; and served in every position on the Board of Directors of Southwind Towers Condominium Association during his many years at that residence.

At age 35, Dominic survived a serious battle with colon cancer, which became a major transformative point in his life. From that time forward, he dismissed the “small stuff” and focused on making each day precious and filled with gratitude.

An avid fisherman, Dominic was a member of the Palm Beach Fishing Club, and he and his boat, "Friendship," were well known on the waterways of North Palm Beach. He and his wife Joanne shared fun-filled years traveling to numerous dive locations in the Caribbean, as well as Fiji and the Galapagos Islands. The Captain and his First Mate also enjoyed many years of scuba diving closer to home, especially during lobster season with their loyal team of buddies known as "The Limit Seekers."

As much as his boat, "Friendship," was a great source of joy for him, Dominic’s greatest passion was friendship itself. He was a humble man, empathic by nature—a gentle man who preferred to speak less and listen more. Dominic D’Angelo’s kindness, compassion, joy, and his love and support of his family and friends made it easy for people to befriend and love him. Those qualities are his legacy—his greatest gifts to the world—and will live on in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

A memorial service date is not set at this time. Please refer back to this page for updates on upcoming service information.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to either of the following organizations: Palm Beach Fishing Club 201 5th Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 www.westpalmbeachfishingclub.org; or Saint Lawrence University 23 Romoda Dr. Canton, NY 13617 Donor Relations, Hockey Scholarship Program www.stlawu.edu