Dominick J. Donza, HPD, LT

Dominick J. Donza, HPD, LT., retired, 83, of Wethersfield, loving and devoted husband of Jean (Mantello) Donza for 60 years, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 with his family by his bedside. Born in Hartford on May 1, 1933, he was the son of the late Dominic and Mary (Stavola) Donza. Dom was a Korean War veteran, serving proudly in the U.S. Army and attaining the rank of Corporal as part of the Army Corp of Engineers. He was a Hartford Police Officer, serving the community for over 31 years where he became head of several departmental divisions. He had the reputation and will always be remembered as a fair, honest and dedicated policeman. Dom was a lifetime member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge 2308, Wethersfield/Rocky Hill, a member of the P.B.A. and Police and Fire Association. In addition he was a member of the VFW, an avid New York Giants fan and a former member of the Wethersfield Chapter of UNICO National. Dom was a true animal lover, especially dogs. While working his midnight shift in the north end of Hartford on a bitter cold night, a stray dog followed him all evening. Dom opened up his cruiser door, the dog jumped in and lived with Dom and his family for 18 wonderful years. That was just one of the dogs from the Hartford streets he brought home to become family pets. A loving husband, father and grandfather, Dom will be dearly missed by his wife Jean; his son, Thomas J. Donza of Wethersfield; two daughters, Lisa Zesut and husband John of Newington and Maria Wilcox and husband Christopher of Wethersfield. He also leaves his four adored grandchildren who were the true loves of his life; Daniel, Paul and Melanie Prokop and Kristina Donza. They loved and will miss their Papa very much. He is also survived by his sister, Marie Faulkner of Rocky Hill; his very close and longtime friend, Robert “Bobby” Fabrizi. He was predeceased by three brothers; Michael, John and Thomas along with his sister Rose Ploszaj. The family would like to thank Dr. Adam Lindsay and the staff of Hartford Hospital for their care and compassion.

Funeral services will be Monday at 9 a.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Burial with military honors will be in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Because of Dom’s special love for animals, donations in his memory may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111. To share a memory of Dom with his family, please visit www.desopo.com.