Dominic A. Mascio

Dominic A. Mascio, 88, of Champion, died Monday, December 5, 2011 at Windsor House of Champion. He was born June 4, 1923 in Warren, the son of Gregory and Esther (Lagonneli) Mascio, and had lived in Trumbull County all his life.

Mr. Mascio was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the 45th Infantry in Europe. He worked with the blast furnace at Republic Steel and owned a painting company. A member of First Presbyterian Church, he enjoyed hard work, fixing the house, and music.

Surviving are his wife, Patricia (Robbins) Mascio, whom he married September 16, 1967; three children: John (Charrie) Mascio of Dallas, Tex., Richard (Barbara) Mascio of Warren, and Vicky Mascio of Cincinnati; a grandson, Ross (Denise) Kotkowski; three great-grandchildren: Zachary, Isabella, and Nadine Kotkowski; a sister, Rose Hirsch of Leavittsburg; and a brother, Edward Mascio of Warren. Preceding him in death are three sisters: Marie Mascio, and Helen and Jean Kistler.

According to his request, cremation is taking place. Services are private. His urn will rest in the First Presbyterian Church columbarium.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral and Cremation Services, 271 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandcares.com to view this obituary and send condolences.

A PERSONAL REFLECTION FROM THE FAMILY:

My father is dead. Correction, my Dad is. My father was killed two months before I was born while in service with the Navy. My Dad has been my Dad since I was 3. He led a quiet life. He served in the Army in the 45th Infantry in WWII. From Italy, through France and into Germany to Dachau. After the war he met and married his first wife, Marie, who passed of cancer in the late 50's. He met my Mom in the mid 60's and were married in 1967. He is survived my a brother, a sister, my Mom, grand and great-grandchildren and us 3 kids. My older brother and my younger sister, who was his only child by birth.

Once he returned to the U.S. He painted in New York before returning to Warren. He got a job working blast furnace at Republic Steel / LTV / WCI and in his off time ran a painting company that did insurance restoration work. He held both of these jobs until his mid 60's when his body could no longer hold up against these demands. He worked. He did whatever he had to, to support his family. He never spoke a lot, or sang a lot. He worked, he slept, he took care of us. He worked at WCI until he was 79. Then he worked on the house to much of my Mom's frustration at times.

He taught me that you take care of the ones you love. You love without concern for where someone started or where they were, you loved them for who they are. You accept the bad with the good as we are all imperfect.

In the end he chose, before Alzheimer's claimed him, to not have a funeral service. He knew the ones important would be there for each other. Most of those he knew have already passed on. He wanted a quiet end, to a quiet life, that left huge footprints. Footprints I only hope to partially fill as I live my life. He taught me to work an honest day, to love without reservation, to accept without judgment and to give without expectation.

In the end, as Alzheimer's took him away, bit by bit, day by day, he sang. He made up words, he made up tunes and he sang. He sang to the wonderful nurses, aides and staff at Windsor House. I believe in the end he found the joy and freedom to enjoy what was left of his life. To be able to have fun, which hadn't been his since around 1930 when he went to work to help his family after his father died. My Dad deserved this, to have fun, and I am happy he did.

We will miss this quiet man, his determination. I will miss him. Until we meet again at some hopefully distant day, I pray he has fun, and sings with all his old friends.

I love you Dad.