Domingo Dedini

Domingo Dedini, Jr., 89, passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at his care home in Fresno, California. Survivors include his children: James “Jim” (Sondra), Amber (Keith), April (Ken) and John (Denise); eight grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Lorelei Carolyn Delia; and sisters, Evelyn Madeline Codiga, and Katherine Jane Codiga.

Dom was born to Domenico “Domingo” and Mary Jane (Dorland) Dedini in Gilroy, California on June 23, 1936. Depending upon how you knew him, he might be Dom, DeDe, or, later in his life, Papa. He attended St. Mary School and then Gilroy High School, participating on the football and wrestling teams but left school to join the United States Navy. He served from 1954 to 1956. Dom’s service took him aboard the U.S.S. John R. Craig, where he received commendation for honorable service in and around China following the end of the war in Korea where the Craig continued patrol operations south of the 38th parallel to help insure peace in Asia.

Soon after discharge, Dom returned to Gilroy, California and married Lorelei Carolyn Delia on July 8, 1956 at St. Lucy’s Catholic Church in Campbell, California. Their family grew quickly and they relocated to Los Gatos, where Dom stayed for more than forty years. Dom worked in various fields including glass glazing, auto sales, auto mechanics and finally ownership of an auto service station. What started as Dom & Bill’s Enco eventually became Dom’s Exxon and was a staple of Los Gatos Boulevard, serving the community with passion and care in more than just care of their automobiles for 36 years.

Dom and Lorelei were known for their faith in Jesus Christ. Christ-centered service was a big part of their daily lives. Calvary Church (then Calvary Baptist) was where the family attended weekly worship services and where Dom led his family to serve others. Dom and Lorelei were active in service for youth and young married couples in addition to actively working in the deacon ministry. In all, Dom was a member at Calvary for more than 60 years. The Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center was also a place the Dedini’s invested their time, talent and resources regularly.

Dom was always extremely proud of his family and enjoyed his visits with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He cherished his Swiss-Italian heritage, Santa Clara County, hunting trips, family vacations, and generally always cheering for the home teams … the Giants, 49ers and Warriors. In recent years, Dom resided in Grass Valley, Reedley and finally Fresno, California.

In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest charitable contributions that would honor the things that Dom loved: Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center [https://www.mounthermon.org/give/ ]; or Calvary Church (Global Missions) [https://calvarylg.churchcenter.com/giving]