Obituary for Domenico Taormina
Domenico Taormina passed away on October 9th. He was 88 years old, turning 89 at the end of October. He is survived by his loving wife Shirley Taormina, children Evie (Sonny) Walia, Salvatore Taormina and Carlo (Kristin) Taormina, and grandchildren Nicole, Jordan, Bella, Lucy and Isabel. In a family of 10 children, he was one of three remaining, along with sisters Katerina and Maria Concetta. Domenico was born in Santa Flavia and grew up in Porticello in Sicily. His family were farmers. He didn't go to school very long. As a teenager, he helped his brother Fillipo do construction jobs.
As a young adult, he went into the Italian Navy and Merchant Marine where he traveled the world. His family had moved to the US while he was in the service so he moved to Milwaukee to join them. He met Shirley at a dance at the Eagles club. He didn't speak English and learned English from Shirley, family, and friends. They fell in love and got married. They were happily married for 59 years. They had two sons and a daughter, and several pets over the years.
Domenico worked for Dahlman Construction for over 30 years and was in the Laborers Union for over 50 years. He remodeled buildings, laying brick and tile and whatever demo was needed. He liked to garden and be outdoors as much as he could. When he retired, they moved to a small lake in Florida where they could spend more time outdoors. In Florida he biked and walked every day as well as gardening and doing work around the house. He was well recognized as the guy who bikes all the time in the neighborhood.
They lived in a neighborhood of other retired people, and they helped each other out with whatever skills they had. He probably did tile work for half the houses on the street. Neighbors were always amazed how strong he was when he'd help them with landscaping.
He adopted the cranes and Muscovy ducks in the lake. He fed them frequently anything from dog food to left over spaghetti. The cranes were especially attached to him. They would watch for him to come home if he was out walking or biking.
This spring, they decided to move back to Wisconsin for family support. He continued to bike whenever he could through the summer, at 88 years old. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Age 88. At peace October 9, 2022. Visitation at Hartson Funeral Home on Thursday, October 20, 2022 from 4 to 6 pm. Service 6 pm.
As a young adult, he went into the Italian Navy and Merchant Marine where he traveled the world. His family had moved to the US while he was in the service so he moved to Milwaukee to join them. He met Shirley at a dance at the Eagles club. He didn't speak English and learned English from Shirley, family, and friends. They fell in love and got married. They were happily married for 59 years. They had two sons and a daughter, and several pets over the years.
Domenico worked for Dahlman Construction for over 30 years and was in the Laborers Union for over 50 years. He remodeled buildings, laying brick and tile and whatever demo was needed. He liked to garden and be outdoors as much as he could. When he retired, they moved to a small lake in Florida where they could spend more time outdoors. In Florida he biked and walked every day as well as gardening and doing work around the house. He was well recognized as the guy who bikes all the time in the neighborhood.
They lived in a neighborhood of other retired people, and they helped each other out with whatever skills they had. He probably did tile work for half the houses on the street. Neighbors were always amazed how strong he was when he'd help them with landscaping.
He adopted the cranes and Muscovy ducks in the lake. He fed them frequently anything from dog food to left over spaghetti. The cranes were especially attached to him. They would watch for him to come home if he was out walking or biking.
This spring, they decided to move back to Wisconsin for family support. He continued to bike whenever he could through the summer, at 88 years old. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Age 88. At peace October 9, 2022. Visitation at Hartson Funeral Home on Thursday, October 20, 2022 from 4 to 6 pm. Service 6 pm.