Dominick J. Topazio

Dominick J. Topazio, Sr. of Upper Arlington, near Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Hopedale and Bloomingdale, Ohio died peacefully on the morning of November 19, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. Dominick was born to Settimio and AlbaRosa (nee Morlacci) Topazio on August 31, 1922.

Dominick graduated from Hopedale High School and was a veteran who served in World War II in the Army. While in the service, Dominick earned his paratrooper wings, a feat for which he was very proud his entire life. He would often regale family and friends with stories of exactly what it was like to jump from a perfectly good airplane, strapped with only a parachute on his back.

After serving in World War II, Dominick met the love of his life, Blanche Rumanoski and they married on December 30, 1950. Dominick worked in the coal fields for many years, often on midnight shift when Blanche would teach school during the day. Dominick retired from the coal fields and is a member of the United Mine Workers of America. In 1963,he and Blanche bought Pike Inn and successfully owned a thriving family restaurant for 31 years. While the restaurant business was very time consuming, they did have a chance to travel to Montana to visit relatives on many occasions throughout the years and even traveled to Germany, Poland and Italy for an extended trip to visit relatives.

Dominick loved watching OSU football games and was an avid Steelers fan. He also was very fond of automobiles and would tell legendary stories about driving his family to the store – when he was no more than 12 years old. While in high school he also was on the football, baseball and basketball teams.

Dominick was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Paul Topazio, a sister Angelina DeLibera and an infant child who died at birth, Jeffrey Mark Topazio. He is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years, Blanche; daughter Bernadine (“Tina”) Topazio (Mark Fullerton); a son Dominick J. Topazio, Jr. (Laura); sister Mary Conroy andsister Jennie Folio (Meata) and two grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Other organizations that Dominick belonged to include the American Legion, the Lions Club, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Knights of Columbus, the Custer Memorial Association, the Harrison Coal and Reclamation Historical Park, Inc., and the Disabled American Veterans.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 from 10am to 12pm at Blackburn Funeral Home, 342 N. High Street, Hopedale, OH 43976. Mass of Christian burial will take place following at 12:30pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 205 Cross Street, Hopedale, OH 43976; Father Timothy McGuire celebrant. Interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations are made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation at 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, New York 10018.

Arrangements by Schoedinger Northwest Chapel, 614-457-5481. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to send condolences and share memories.