Domenico Pennisi

Domenico Pennisi was born on May 16, 1930 to Salvatore Pennisi and Francesca Paola Bertuccio in

Palermo, Sicily. He was the ever so gifted and intelligent middle child of five. He was preceded in death by his brothers Raffaele, Agostino and Andrea. Their beautiful sister, Giovanna Cinquemani, still resides in Palermo with her children. At the young age of 12 he tragically lost his mother to sickness and was later brought up by his aunt. Domenico grew up in the most beautiful city in the world surrounded by mountains and lustrous clear blue oceans. Aside from his favorite beach spots and gelato shop, Domenico from a very young age was taught what it meant to be a skilled worker. This patriarchal trait was passed down to him and his brothers by their grandfather and father alike. This love for craftsmanship sparked a wonderful adventure within Domenico. Furniture was his life and not just the assembly and manufacture, but the artful brilliance that only a creative mind could build.

Domenico was an artist starving for nothing less than succession. Whatever imaginative brilliance his

mind was set on there was nobody that could tell him otherwise. He attended and graduated college in Palermo studying ancient art, received training in sculpture design and drawing. However, his creative energy did not stop there, Domenico even attended school of modern dance in Palermo receiving a diploma in 1949. He pondered upon acting as well, chasing that dream with training and modeling. Knowing his own ingenious ways of expressing his styles of art is what drove him and being able to give that to everyone was his ingenuity.

In his late twenties, Domenico decided to chase his creative ambitions to America. It originated with

simple terms between him and his father to explore this foreign land and learn of what progressions could be discovered. So, Domenico made the trip with barely any hesitation, rather an overload of ambition and

determination. The United States of America was introduced to a one Domenico Pennisi in the year 1959. He originally settled in Astoria in Queens, NY. After several months having worked in a furniture manufacture he decided to go on his own with his brothers Andrea and Agostino. The Pennisi brothers brought their creative minds together developing original and unique furniture designs for both minor and big time New York designers of their current scene.

It was time to settle down and on February 1, 1964 Domenico Pennisi married a young and beautiful

Maria Mauro. He came to work for the ever so reputable M.G.M furniture and moved to west Babylon after his first child, Paula Lisa, was born in late 1965. Soon to follow was middle child Ann Marie in 1968 and their only son Anthony in 1969. Through his work with M.G.M Furniture, Domenico’s innovativeness caught the eye of a certain designer that opened a new path of adventure for the young artist. A path that brought Domenico to the furniture capital of the world, High Point, NC. In 1971 Domenico made the decision to move his family to the exact place he knew he was destined to go. The designer brought him to US Furniture where they gave Domenico the opportunity to design a new line for Thomasville Furniture. Going back to how ambitious Domenico was from his art, life and family it only took him a span of 2 years to move to a different state, create a new line of furniture for a dominant furniture manufacture of that time and build a beautiful home or rather a castle of his design and with his hands. And then soon to follow was his new venture, Pennisi Originals bringing the Pennisi brothers back together again

even if for a brief time.

In the early 80’s Domenico was given the opportunity to do what he loved but on more grander scale. As

an artist you become a teacher as well. Domenico held this dearly because he knew his craft was unique and to be able to find that talent in someone else and help them discover their ability was priceless. It also helped preserve his art and the art of a dying profession, this was his passion. He taught at 2 colleges in the triad area giving yearly programs at both. With the confidence and love of his work he gave his knowledge to students that wanted to learn what he knew and what he was able to give the world. A Sicilian man from half way around the world chased his dreams to America with barely any money to survive ended up finding love, creating a beautiful family and teaching his knowledge so future generations could continue to carry a simplistic yet divine human trait that is of which, art.

In 1984 he opened the doors to P.A.M.A Furniture paving the way for the world to see the designs of a

pioneer in the furniture industry. He created this with his family because he knew without his family nothing was possible. Being an amazing father and husband he shared his dreams and accomplishments with them whole heartedly. Domenico was a beautiful soul that worked selflessly to accomplish his creative dreams and he did just that.

Domenico is survived by his wife Maria Mauro Pennisi and children Paula Lisa McNeill (Mark), Ann Marie

Pennisi-Page (Derek) & Anthony Salvatore Pennisi (Kelly). Domenico found the most joy teaching his art and craftsmanship to his grandchildren from whom he had the upmost unconditional love for: Stephen McNeill (Carmela), Mikayla McNeill (Patriek), Mary McNeill, Nicholas McNeill, Olivia Pennisi, Domenick Pennisi, Maria Page, Alexander Page, Andrew Page, Aiden Page, Sydney Page and Anthony Pennisi. Nonno Domenico promised to stick around and made it clear to everyone that he would meet his first great grandchild. By the Grace of God he did just that and almost for one whole year the two brought each other the most abundance of joy. Domenico is survived by his one great grandson, “Don” Domenico McNeill.

The family would like to invite friends and loved ones to the visitation at Sechrest-Davis Funerals and

Cremations on Wednesday, May 5th from 6 pm to 8 pm located at 1301 E. Lexington Ave. in High Point, NC. Mr. Pennisi’s funeral service will be held Thursday morning at 11:30 am located at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 4145 Johnson St in High Point, NC. Burial service to follow immediately at Floral Gardens off of W. English Rd. in High Point, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to; St Jude Children’s Hospital OR Kate B Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston Salem, NC (Trellis Supportive Care).

The family of Domenico Pennisi wishes to express our sincere thanks for all of the expressions of love during our time of bereavement.