Born on November 3, 1950, to the late Dominic R. and Dolores P. (Mastandrea) Sammataro, Dominic attended St. Peter’s Catholic Schools and Madison Comprehensive High School, graduating in 1968. He worked for 34 years at Gorman-Rupp Industries in various roles until his retirement in 2005. He also attended Peace Fellowship Church in Mansfield and was a member of the Ohio Health Fore Hope Therapeutic Golf program.
The man of a thousand Harley T-shirts, Dominic loved nothing more than cracking a joke, golfing, riding his Harleys, mowing the yard, puttering around in the garage, and eating potato chips. He was happiest, however, when surrounded by his friends and family.
In July 1977, he married Sherry Messer, the love of his life. Together, they created nearly 50 years of magic, love, and laughter, building a home that welcomed everyone they encountered. With the Sammataros’ you were always welcome—and you were always safe.
He was incredibly proud of his two daughters, Brianna Sammataro (Jeff Beard) of Mansfield and Ashley Sammataro (Steven Bell) of Columbus. Inheriting his sense of humor and wit, but not his math skills, both daughters knew exactly what to say to get what they wanted from their dad.
Dominic was also the best dad and “G-PA” to his chosen daughters and grandchildren: Georgie Crisp and her children Izzy Diallo, Avery, and Carra Crisp; and Kari Buckalew (Mike) and their children Emma and Landon.
He is also survived by his sister Deborah A. Gossom; nephew Bobby Gossom; niece Jessica Carver; and their respective children, Grant, Riley, Bella, Sophia, and Layla; brother-in-law Pat Gossom; sister-in-law Pam Knofflock; nephews Seth Gardner and Cole Gardner (Raven); niece Ally Wendel (Ryan) and their son Felix; special cousin Jane Gorka (Tim); best friends Troy and Abby Schlereth, Rob and Vickie Salyers, and Art Cheste; his “partner in crime,” Kris Sherburne; and his two loyal pets, Millie and Katie.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandmother, Mary Mastandrea; in-laws Gene and Edna Lois Messer; uncles and aunts Frank and Kay Mastandrea and Ray and Katherine Mastandrea; and friends Rick and Becky Donaldson, and Larry “Cooch” Potter.
Whether you are new to this journey with the family or have been part of it for years, you know this has been a long road. In January 2005, Dominic suffered a heart attack that left him in a coma for 17 days and resulted in a traumatic brain injury, causing him to lose most, if not all, of his long-term memories. In the years that followed, it meant so much to him when friends would stop to say hello, and even more when they would remind him who they were and how they knew him. In those moments, he felt like himself again.
To everyone who checked in, called, and showed up for him over the past 21 years, a thank you will never be enough.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 12:00-3:00 pm at the Life Celebration Reception Center, 129 S. Main Street. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 pm.
Memorial contributions can be made to Taking Root Farms or Choice Express LLC, two local non-profits specializing in the care of developmentally disabled individuals. Wappner Funeral Directors-Mansfield is honored to serve the Sammataro family.
Words of condolence may be expressed at www.wappner.com
