Dominik F. Domoradzki

Ski, or Dom to most, O'Tool or "Stinky" to some, at 91, he lost his 3rd battle with brain cancer on January 7, 2010.

He was born on October 12, 1918 in Lawrence, MA to Polish immigrants Martin & Sophia. A teen when he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, he spoke fondly of the life skills & camaraderie he found there. In 1938, he escaped an abusive father by joining the Navy, retiring in 1958 as a Chief Petty Officer, Torpedoman. He served on US Ships: Mugford, Fulton, Lofberg, Altair, Brownson, Talledega, Kearsarge, and Essex, during WWII and Korean War.

Commanders skeptical of his 8th grade education nearly passed him over for Advanced Undersea Weapons School, where he placed 3rd of 46. He was deployed all over the world, often under the brutal conditions of war, weather and starvation rations for months at a time. Ski was on Admiral Byrd's expedition to the Antarctic in '46/'47 but he also circumnavigated South America, and served in Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, the Mediterranean and more. His favorites were Australia, new Zealand and Rio.

Ski downplayed his role in WWII but was frequently in harm's way, including disarming a live torpedo inside a U.S. ship. Not a typical sailor on Liberty, his stories were of museums, and rambles in faraway places where locals would invite him home. A regular at Mass on the USS Arizona, he narrowly missed the Japanese attack when he was transferred out of Pearl Harbor to the USS Mugford.

In 1950 he married Kathleen Mayme, adopting her daughter Gloria, a spunky red-headed teen; Julie arrived soon after. Retired from the Navy in '58, he was unemployed, so with a perfectionist's brush, he painted houses inside and out for neighbors & family. At night he did heavy, grueling work unloading banana boats by hand until 2 years later when he started his second career at the Federal Reserve Bank in Seattle. He worked hard at a job he loved, running a tight ship in the stockroom for 25 years. Everyone knew Ski. Always willing to help out, he skillfully drew posters for events like Hobby Ganza where he showcased his baking skills & his "famous" nut brittle.

During his 60-plus years in Seattle, he was happiest taking the family on day trips, proudly tending his flowers and yard, or energetically walking the Greenwood and Phinney neighborhoods in his red sneakers, making friends and keeping a critical eye out for shoddy workmanship at each construction site he passed.

He would surprise and delight you with his clever, spontaneous wit and ready grin. Over the years he enjoyed hockey, swimming, photography, and baking. He also enjoyed architectural history, had a passion for gardening, and liked watching the Seahawks and Huskies with his extended family of neighbors. He had a talent for piano and drawing but pursued neither, humbly believing he wasn't good enough.

Reader of dictionaries and lover of words, he had no TV or computer, preferring a good book, newspaper, or a game of Scrabble. A prolific letter writer, he was newsy and funny. He was house-sitter, cat-watcher; always ready with a ride or repair. Ski liked to leave little drawings and notes for neighbors and family. Ski was extremely independent, still driving at 88. He'd be up on a ladder cleaning his gutters, or out replacing his lawn roll by roll. He loved order; 'ship-shape' and 'do it right' were his mottos. Ski lived a long and adventure-filled life.

A good, kind, generous, and honest man, he endured without complaint. He displayed immense courage and kept his great sense of humor even after his diagnosis and treatments. His heart and spirit remained strong, fighting until the very end. He was a warm, genuine soul; we miss him terribly.

Predeceased in 2000 by Kathy, best friend and loving wife of 50 years; sisters Emily, Gen, Helen, and brother and best pal Teddy. Survived by daughters Julie Littlejohn (Bob) and Gloria Reid (John H.), grandchildren John S., Mike, and Susan Reid; sister Edna Sierpina (Maxie) in Massachusetts, and several nieces and nephews.

Farewell party, Sunday, March 7th, noon-4 at 350 North 79th St., Seattle. Info: Julie (206) 550-4685 or [email protected]. All who knew Ski and would like to come are welcome.

Contributions to Paralyzed Veterans of America or Wounded Warriors. Future graveside honors will be held when his Veteran's headstone arrives at Washelli.