Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

Our dad always said we all have a candle in life. God determines the length of each one of us before we return back to Him.

Dom's candle burned for over 92 years.

It's very difficult to compress Dom's life in just a few words. This is a snapshot.

Our parents emigrated from Italy and had six children. Dom was the oldest male in our family but not the oldest sibling. We had an older sister who passed away at the age of three years and nine months. Our family referred to Dom as Mimmigoouch which was Dominic in Italian. Our family lived in a third floor cold water flat with no hot water or tub. The house was heated with wood and coal. Born of this humble experience, Dom was soft spoken, gentle, and appreciated life.

Dom joined the Navy during WWII. After a few years serving on an aircraft carrier he became ill, lost part of his lung, and spent quite a while in and out of Rutland hospital. The veterans enjoyed seeing our parents visit. They always took goodies and especially homemade ravioli in gravy in gallon jars.

While he was at Rutland he met his wife Lucky. They married and resided in Worcester and raised two children; Dom Jr., and Darlyne. Dom's family expanded further with two grandchildren, Loren and Elise.

Dom and Lucky built a home and installed a pool. There were many enjoyable family trips and cookouts at their house. It was a special family outing every few years when the whole family would get there early Sunday and spend the day painting the outside of Dom and Lucky's house and completing it.

Dom became second in command at the city of Worcester's Traffic Engineering department. Dom and Lucky spent many vacation years in Florida, and sold their home when Dom retired. They lived happily and enjoyed life in Florida. When you look back on Dom's life he and his family were a product of the American Dream.

During his lifetime, the flame of his candle flickered a few times - almost extinguishing itself at times. Dom was always optimistic and never complained. He practiced his religion and truly enjoyed life and family. He was a caring husband, father, and sibling.

We are sad today because we lost a husband, father, and brother. Dom's candle may have been extinguished, but our happy joyful memories with him will be lit in our hearts forever.