Dominick Pesce
September 26, 1924 – April 12, 2022
Dominick Pesce, 97, of Westchester, Illinois, died peacefully on April 12, 2022.
Dominick was born on September 26, 1924 to Basil and Mary Pesce in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. He grew up on West Ohio Street and attended Wells High School. A skilled amateur photographer and artist, he received a scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago, but was unable to attend.
After graduating high school in 1943, Dominick enlisted in the United States Army to join the World War II effort as a wartime photographer. At the time of his deployment, however, the military office was unable to locate his company and so he was reassigned as a truck driver to be stationed in the South Pacific on the island of Tinian (despite not having a driver’s license at time of enlistment). He learned quickly, and as an expert rifleman was quickly promoted through the ranks to first sergeant.
Following World War II, Dominick was honorably discharged after two years of proud service on March 23, 1946. He returned to Chicago where he courted and married Florence Pesce (DiCosola). They remained in the neighborhood and had two daughters, Darlene and Donna, before moving to the neighboring suburb of Westchester in 1957. After the move, the couple welcomed two more daughters, Diane and Denise. Dominick and Florence happily resided in Westchester for the majority of their 73 years of marriage, snowbirding often to stay with family in Florida and North Carolina, and vacationing to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Dominick was a man of many talents and professions. After being discharged from the military, he was a hairdresser for many years, working in salons in Chicago and the near-west suburbs. He also worked as a chef and in the insurance industry. Dominick ended his career working for utility companies as a meter reader in the public works department.
Creative and musical, Dominick enjoyed many hobbies and artistic endeavors. He was an avid photographer and won many awards for his photographs. Throughout his lifetime he studied and created watercolor painting, wood carving, stained glass and folk instruments. He could often be heard singing or whistling while he worked, and played many instruments, including the piano, flute, accordion, and harmonica. A tinkerer, Dominick also had a mechanical mind, and was very handy, building bicycles and toys, fixing things around the house, or helping others with home projects.
Dominick was a devout Catholic and family man with a creative, kind, loving, and gentle spirit. He will be remembered and cherished as a beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, animal lover, artist, veteran, and unwavering Cubs fan.
Dominick was preceded in death by his parents Basil and Mary Pesce, siblings Frank, Gene, Rose Scilluffo, and Joseph Pesce, brother-in-law Paul Romito, and son-in-laws Edward Bartos and Michael DiVito. He is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Florence, sister-in-law Josephine Romito, children Darlene Bartos, Donna DiVito, Diane (Ron) Narducci, and Denise Pesce (Diana Deferrari), grandchildren Michel (John) Harris, Alisa (Colin) Dovichin, Adam (Kimberly) Bartos, Nicholas (Pamela) Narducci, Carly DiVito (Jude Kieltkya), Adria (Levi) Cole, Jenna (Steven) Gonzalez, Michael DiVito, Ella Pesce Deferrari, and Julianna Pesce Deferrari, great-grandchildren Carson, Alexander, Finley, Evan, Matthew, Jameson, Andre, Theodore, Emerson, Charlie, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 19, 2022 from 10:00 am until time of Mass 11:00 am, at Divine Providence Church, Westchester. Entombment, Christ the King Mausoleum, Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in memory of Dominick Pesce would be appreciated.
Checks may be mailed to:
Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, ECC 5000 5th Avenue, Bld 9, Room 107A, Hines, Illinois 60141
April 19, 2022 – 11:00am cst
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