- Date Of Birth: January 13, 1928
- Date Of Death: March 15, 2012
- State: Ohio
Fredrick “Fred” Joseph Dominic January 13, 1928-March 15, 2012 Fred Dominic, born Alfred Joseph Domanico, of Salem, Ohio, peacefully passed away Thursday March 15, 2012 after a short illness surrounded by his loved ones. Mr. Dominic was born in Leetonia, Ohio to Italian immigrant parents Tommaso and Maria Domanico. Frank, Josephine, Anthony, and Lena are Mr. Dominic’s siblings of which Josephine and Anthony still survive.
Fred Dominic married Gloria Jean Hannay on June 24, 1950. He had a 45-year career on East State Street in Salem, Ohio at Dominic’s Barber Shop. Mr. Dominic’s children are Diana R. Dominic of Palm Beach Gardens, Fl and Thomas P. Dominic of Salem, Ohio. Tom’s spouse is the former Bonita Jean Lowry and their son is Joseph Carmen Dominic. Gloria Dominic predeceased Mr. Dominic in 1981. His constant companion and fiancée is Jill Bartholomew and children, David (Gayle) Bartholomew and Susan; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a deceased grandson. Mr. Dominic loved living in Salem and enjoyed his many friends.
The barbershop afforded him the luxury of constant contact with so many people. Besides his family and friends he loved the game of football. During his four years on the Leetonia High School football team from 1942-1946 he was the fullback named “crazy legs Dominic” as he could bob and weave and outrun every opponent. In the fall of 1945 under the coaching of Chuck Mather, and with his talented teammates the Leetonia Bears had an undefeated season. The Ohio High School Class B Championship game was held at Reilly stadium to accommodate the large crowd and Reilly was one of the few stadiums with lights for night games.
They beat Copley 46 to 6 and Mr. Dominic had three of the touchdowns. It was Leetonia’s only football state championship to date. In 1940 they were dubbed “little Massillon” and from that point they won 46 games, lost 4 and tied 4. Most of their opponents were class A competition. Coach Mather went on later to coaching with the Chicago Bears. After high school graduation Mr. Dominic chose not to go on to college and worked at Mullins Manufacturing for a short period of time. One night someone knocked on his door and a man named Pete Henry asked him to play football, and get paid to do so he decided not to pursue this.
Mr. Henry was one of the originators of professional football and his bronze bust is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Mr. Dominic was a member of the Salem Italian American Club, Salem Elks Lodge # 305, Ohio State Barber Board, Salem Boosters Club and Leetonia Football Hall of Fame 2006. Mr. Dominic loved his family, friends, and community, but most of all he loved and lived a full life! His vibrant personality and welcoming smile will be greatly missed by so many.
