Dominic Salvino

Dominic Salvino, 94, of Del Mar in The Villages, passed away on Thanksgiving, November 26, 2020, at the Cornerstone Hospice House in The Villages. Due to COVID-19 his funeral service was postponed until June 24, 2021 at Hope Lutheran Church. Dominic was born on October 31, 1926 in Rogliano, Italy. After World War II at the age of 22 he came to the United States with his younger brother, Paul. They settled in Leetonia, Ohio where they had family. He worked in a steel mill near Cleveland during the day and spent his nights learning English. In 1954 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and after basic training he was sent to Germany where he met the love of his life, Karola Stamer. They married a year later and had a daughter Karola (Lola). His military service took him and his family to Fort Knox, Kentucky, Nürnberg, Germany, where his son, Frank, was born, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Münich, Germany, back to Fort Knox, and then to Schwäbisch Hall, Germany. During that time, he also served two tours of duty in Vietnam. After almost 20 years of service and rising through the ranks to an E7 Sergeant First Class, he decided to retire and settle down in Radcliff, Kentucky, a small town near Fort Knox. The first thing he did when he bought his house was to install a flagpole in the front yard so he could fly the American flag on every National Holiday. He was a very proud American. Over the next 21 years he raised his family, worked at Fort Knox as a post engineer, constantly improved and remodeled his house, took flying lessons and earned his pilot's license, went dancing with his wife at the German Club in Louisville, Kentucky and saved up for his second retirement. In 1993 Dominic and Karola moved to The Villages and had their retirement home built in Del Mar near the fourth hole of the Chula Vista Executive Golf Course. They both remained active playing golf, traveling and they continued their dancing in the German, Italian and Polish Clubs. Dominic also participated in The Villages Computer and Photography Clubs and enjoyed attending the events at the town squares. He also loved flying his Cessna 172 that he kept at the Leesburg International Airport. In 2016 after more than 60 years of marriage, Dominic lost the love of his life, who also passed away at the Cornerstone Hospice House. He remained in their home with the aid of live-in caretakers and had his spirits lifted by his many loving friends and family. Always one for a good celebration, Dominic returned to Italy in 2017 to commemorate his 91st birthday with his sisters Elena and Vittoria and other family members and friends. For his 93rd birthday, he hosted a party at the La Hacienda Recreation Center that was attended by family from all over the country as well as friends from The Villages. Even though his health was declining, the isolation of the pandemic proved too great for him to bear. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karola, and his brothers Paul and Carmine. His sister Elena passed away in March of 2021. He is survived by his three children: John Salvino in Salem, Ohio, Lola Sausser in Prescott, Arizona, and Frank Salvino in Los Angeles, California. He is also survived by his three grandchildren, Dustin, Rachael and Jasmine and four great grandchildren, as well as his sister, Vittoria, in Italy and numerous other family members. Dominic will receive full military honors and will be interred at Florida National Cemetery with his wife Karola. The funeral service will be held on June 24th at 12:00pm at Hope Lutheran Church - 250 Avenida Los Angelos, The Villages, FL 32162. Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home of Lady Lake, Fl. Online remembrances may be made at: www.beyersfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Cornerstone Hospice Foundation 2445 Lane Park Rd. Tavares, FL 32778 352-742-6819

Dominic Salvino

October 31, 1926 - November 26, 2020