Dominic P Vassalluzzo

Dominic P. Vassalluzzo was born in Philadelphia and raised with his large first-generation Italian immigrant family of seven in the “South Philly” community, and after graduating from South Philadelphia Catholic High School, he enlisted in the US Coast Guard in 1942. He was trained as a Senior Sonar Soundman and served across the globe in World War II for four years on the USS Poole Destroyer Escort ship, and covered the many European, Middle Eastern, African, Asiatic-Pacific, and American-Atlantic Campaigns as a Seaman and submarine hunter. He and his shipmates were successful in protecting and defending numerous US Destroyers and Carriers from harm’s way in these five theatres. He was one of the first US servicemen making landfall in Japan after their WWII surrender in August 1945 to secure their freedom and confirm alliances with the US and our many allies. He then transitioned to the US Navy for his remaining five+ years of military service as a Training Specialist First Class for Sonar and Lithography and was decorated with five medals for those WWII Campaigns he supported, as well as the World War II Victory Medal, before he retired from the military in 1952. 

Dominic married Dolores (LaBosco) and resided in the Philadelphia and Jersey Shore area with his family of four children Robert (pre-deceased), Donna (pre-deceased), Linda (Trincia), and Dolores (“Lori” Cavanagh). He leaves behind his four grandchildren (Shara, Eric, David and Michael), 13 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Dominic loved his family time together, always enjoying lighthearted humor with them, along with a bit of mischief and pranks, and had a deep camaraderie with his fellow US Veterans. He was an avid swimmer, swim coach, scuba diver, and a generous contributor to the US military. 

After Dominic moved to Oceanside, California in 1978, he soon retired from his career as a Lithographer, and married his second wife Dolores (Schmitz) in 1988, where they enjoyed a great lifestyle there together. In every aspect of his life Dominic embodied the qualities of a man who loved his family, shared joy, fierce patriotism and determination, heroic WWII service, honor and commitment to his values he held dear that will continue to inspire his family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to know him. 

Dominic will be laid to rest at the Delaware Veterans Cemetery in Bear, DE. His funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please provide your donations to the Delaware Veterans Home at 100 Veterans Boulevard, Milford, DE 19963.