Dominic Dee or Dom Guadagnoli

Dominic Guadagnoli of Orland Park, Il. age 87 WWII U.S.Airforce Veteran

Preceded in death by his loving wife Violet and his parents Stephen and Maria Guadagnoli.

Dear brother of Josephine (late Frank) Maturno, Emily (late Henry) Caliendo and the late Algesia (Cyrus) Cosentino, Julie Penachio, Mario Guadagnoli, and Yolanda Mingarelli.

Fond brother-in-law to Stanley and Sylvia Vana.

Cherished uncle to many and a friend to all. A special thanks to Randall and Karen Sherwood who assisted Dominic for many years.

Chapel Funeral Service Thursday 11 A.M. at Chapel hill Gardens South Funeral Home 11333 S. Central Ave. Oak Lawn, Interment Chapel Hills Gardens Cemetery. Visitation: Wednesday 3PM-9PM

For Info and to celebrate Dominic’s life visit www.chapelhillgardenssouth.com

708-636-1200

Chapel Hill Gardens South Funeral Home, Oak Lawn, IL.

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Dominic Guadagnoli, was an intelligent and warm individual. Analytical and inventive, he was the kind of person that you would go to when you needed to resolve a problem, especially if it involved mechanical or electrical solutions. He was very meticulous in all that he did, a real perfectionist.

His parents were Stephen Guadagnoli and Maria De Damisha, and his family included five (5) sisters; Alegsia, Julie, Josephine, Yolanda, and Emily and one brother, Mario. A large and close knit family, they were raised in the Chicago area and remained as close as life allows. Dominic graduated from Proviso Township in 1941.

Being the second youngest in a large family, he (and his younger sister Emily) seemed to have a bit more latitude then their older family members. Dom especially had a way of responding to his Mother that kept her from ever being mad at him, regardless of the mischief he may have done. His love for airplanes began as a small child of 7-9. Although planes were rare then, if there was one to be seen, Dom had to stop everything and watch it as if passed by. He was oblivious to anything else when a plane was overhead. Similarly, his tinkering also began at a young age, as he was always trying to understand how things worked.

Dominic was an Army - Air Force Veteran during WWII. He entered the service and became a pilot with the rank of First Lieutenant. He was in the service from December 23, 1944 to February 1st, 1947, and spent much of his military service stationed in Alaska. His nickname while in the military was "The Professor" due to his analytical approach to everything. After discharge, he attended trade school where his inventiveness could run free. He excelled in using his hands and earned his trade certificate as a Tool & Die Maker.

On January 14, 1950 Dominic exchanged wedding vows with Violet Vezis-Kubilis at her parent's home in Chicago, Illinois. They remained a deeply devoted couple until she departed us in August of 2009, less than five months shy of their 60th anniversary. Her loss weighed heavily on him until his own passing. During the years of their marriage, they made a point of celebrating anniversaries with his sisters Jo and Emily. Each ones anniversary resulted in an all day affair for the three families, dressing up and meeting at one of their homes for conversation and then out to a beautiful dinner. It was looked forward to by all.

Dominic enjoyed his leisure time, his favorite pastimes were; golf, hunting, flying a private plane, new cars (he recently talked about buying a Mazda Miata!), golf, golf, and more golf. A Chicago Cub fan, he joined many others in patiently awaiting their success. In later years, he enjoyed playing cards, especially a game called "Golf" (what a surprise.)

He and Violet loved to travel and to visit new and different places. Favorite vacations, included all of them! They established a personal goal to visit all 50 States......and made it to all but 2. They also were very adventurous and went on what they called "Mystery Trips" they didn’t know where the group was going until they arrived at their destination. What fun!!!

Dominic loved animals, but only had one pet in his adult life, Chico, a little parakeet. He and Violet were so distraught when he died that they determined not to ever have another pet of their own.

Dominic believed that you had to experience life, and his life in retirement was no different. When that day finally arrived in 1985, Dominic took it in stride as one more way to have fun. With his significant energy and a desire to get the most out of life, Dominic remained busy with people and projects. In retirement, he found new pleasure in being able to play more golf, travel, and visit friends and relatives. After he and Violet relocated to Smith Crossing Retirement Home in 2004, he could be found in the workout room regularly until his health prevented it, and also participated in a stock club and called Bingo.

Dominic passed away on July 11, 2010 at Silver Cross Hospital. Dominic fought a brave battle with gallbladder problems. He is survived by his dear sisters Josephine Maturno and Emily Caliendo, his in-laws, Stanley & Sylvia Vana, and his many cherished nieces and nephews and friends, all of whom will miss him so very much. Services were held at Chapel Hill Gardens South Funeral Home. Dominic was laid to rest in Chapel Hill Gardens South Cemetery.

Dominic brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Dominic Guadagnoli lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile

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EUOLOGY given by Dominic's nephew, Michael Caliendo

Good Morning,

On behalf of our entire family I would like to thank everybody who paid their respects, said a prayer, offered their condolences or just shared a story.

Before I begin I would like to give a quick history lesson ……… The Gettysburg Address, arguably the greatest speech ever written was only 4 minutes long. I say this because when you put me in front of a microphone I sometimes become longwinded.

But today I promise not to be longwinded, I can’t promise just 4 minutes or arguably the greatest eulogy, but what I will promise is the words will come directly from my heart.

Randy and Karen, words alone could never adequately express the feelings Uncle Dom felt for the both of you. The 2 of you were much more than a niece and nephew. I cannot put into words what he felt for the both of you. Please accept a very big thank you from my mom and aunt.

What can I say in a few short minutes about a man who has touched so many lives in so many wonderful ways? Uncle Dom was a Son, Brother, Brother-in-law, Uncle and Husband, but more importantly a friend to all. Always willing to help no matter how big or small the task was. Although as he got older he tended to offer his smarts more than his muscle.

We come together today and are saddened by our loss. It’s okay to be sad, but I would rather celebrate Uncle Dom’s life with laughter and smiles, there already is far too much sadness in this world. Although he is physically no longer with us, he will forever be with us in our hearts because of the person he was in this world. Those are the things we need to remember, and if we do that he will live forever within us. So let’s not be sad, let’s celebrate this man’s wonderful life and the happiness he brought to each and every one of us in his own special way.

As a child he grew up with 6 siblings, 5 sisters and 1 brother. I guess he learned at a very early age how to deal with estrogen having been surrounded by all those females. It was a lesson he took with him his entire life, as he became a wonderful husband to Aunt VI for almost 60 years.

His passion for flying began at an early age, as a child airplanes and flying was at it’s infancy. Whenever a plane flew over his home he would run outside and just stare at it until it was no longer visible. Subsequently Uncle Dom became a pilot during World War II.

Uncle Dom enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 17. With World War II just beginning he knew he would get drafted at 18. He was able to talk his mother into signing for him so he would be able to have his choice of which branch he went into. His choice was obviously the Air Force. As the story goes it took much convincing for his mother to sign for him. But growing up among 5 sisters he honed his negotiating skills when dealing with woman, which proved beneficial in this case allowing him to get what he wanted.

Uncle Dom’s love of food has always been well known. As a child the 9 of them would sit at the dining room table for a Sunday meal with Uncle Dom’s seat always in front of the pasta dish and always being the first one served. In an effort to get a little more food he would tell his sisters they need to watch their figures and to not eat so much. He sure did learn a lot about woman by being surrounded by all his sisters.

Uncle Dom loved his wine especially his Dago Red. He loved board games because it game him a venue to think while having fun. He loved to travel and see the sites of our beautiful country. Uncle Dom, Aunt Vi and my parents took many vacations together in their retirement years. They preferred the all-inclusive trips mainly because of the food. Are you starting to see a pattern here about the importance of food in Uncle Dom’s life?

When I was a child Uncle Dom, Aunt Vi, my parents, my Aunt Jo and Uncle Frank would celebrate their anniversaries. So 3 times a year we would go out for wonderful dinners at great restaurants. My cousin Bill and myself happened to be the lucky benefactors of those dinners. Poor Uncle Dom, he introduced both of us to shrimp cocktails, lobster, crab legs, clams and the finest steaks. Never more would we order chicken.

Uncle Dom loved finding out how things worked, always taking things apart and putting them back together. After the war he became a mechanic before the tool and die business. He was a perfectionist when it came to everything. From machines to landscaping to being an impeccable dresser. He simply appreciated fine quality. His other love was autos. Not only were his cars finely tuned but always looked showroom new. He loved the modern day cars and all the switches inside them. Every time I was about to get a new car I always called Uncle Dom and asked for his advice before I made my final decision, then afterwards to tell him which model I bought. Every time I knew I was going to see Uncle Dom my car had to be cleaned, I would never show up in a dirty car. By the way I had my car detailed earlier this week. After Aunt Vi’s service at the cemetery I drove Uncle Dom back home, for the next 25 minutes he touched every switch and button that was within his reach. Opening the glove box and sliding the sunroof back and forth numerous times, the whole time saying nice with a big smile on his face.

As I conclude, I will always remember Uncle Dom’s laugh both of his hands going every which way one side of his mouth higher than the other side with a short chuckle.

So as our flyboy prepares for his final flight

His flight plan has been filed

His preflight checklist meticulously in order

He has clearance for takeoff

As he comes in on final approach he is being greeted by his parents, siblings, family and friends who

have taken this journey before him.

They all welcome him with a big thumbs up, the universal Air Force sign for a job well done.

And as he lands his final flight we say thank you Uncle Dom, it’s been a smooth and wonderful flight

And as he looks to his right, his favorite co-pilot Aunt Vi says yes it has been a wonderful flight, but at times there was a bit of turbulence Dom

Always keeping HER PILOT in check

Thank You