Domingos began his tailoring career as a teen in his hometown of Bustelo, Portugal. There, he spent countless hours perfecting his craft while his four older brothers worked in the fields and his older sister helped around the house. When he was 19, Domingos launched his own business from his family’s home and served as the town’s tailor for 15 years.
As a young man with charm and good looks, he thought he would enjoy life as a bachelor—until he met Belmira Nogueria from the nearby village of Cimo De Villa Castanheira. When a job offer saw Belmira head to America, a lovestruck Domingos left his country and family behind to follow her. Shortly after, they married and began a family of their own.
While they started out in Illinois, the pull to be closer to extended family saw them move to New Jersey. In 1976, they settled in Toms River, where Domingos would spend the rest of his life.
Domingos spent 14 years as a sought-after tailor at the men’s department of Sears, located at the Ocean County Mall. During that time, he cemented his reputation as a detail-oriented, highly skilled and dependable employee that developed a loyal following. When Sears closed its alternations department, he became head tailor at the Lord & Taylor located within the Freehold Mall. He retired at the age of 65 and promptly treated himself to a new Lincoln Continental—a rare and well-deserved splurge.
Throughout his life, family always came first, a lesson Domingos passed along to his children. In Portugal, he would take breaks from tailoring to care for his father when a stroke left him bedridden. He also helped raise three of his nieces and took on the bulk of household responsibilities when it became too much for his aging mother. In America, he freely shared his tailoring skills with extended family and was always ready to lend a helping hand. He was always there for his children in their times of need and loved doting on his grandkids.
When he wasn’t working, Domingos spent time stomping grapes in his cellar to make his own wine, planting a garden that never failed to produce a bounty of vegetables for his family, swimming in his pool and taking on any home project—from building custom decks and sheds to finishing a basement—no job was too big.
He also enjoyed spending time with his kids and his beloved Belmira, who passed away when he was 55. He never dated or remarried.
As a senior, he continued to garden, growing vegetables not for himself, but for his kids and their families. Nothing brought him greater joy than sharing his wine, food and time with them. When he was no longer able to take on his own household projects, he became very skilled at “supervising” his children whenever they helped around the house. No amount of pain or tiredness could prevent him from having a front-row seat at the scene of the action. These supervising skills were also put to good use whenever he was being driven somewhere by his children. During this time of his life, he took great pleasure in winning a game of Rummikub, relaxing in his recliner and—as always—spending time with family.
With his passing, he leaves behind his “three birds”: Liz, Maria and John; their respective spouses: Phil, Porl and Tamara; and his four grandkids: Alex, Maya, Sophia and Quinn. He also leaves behind a large extended family that will miss him greatly as well as loyal customers who became friends.
While his family is devasted to see him go, they take solace in knowing he has been reunited with the love of his life. After more than 30 years apart, he can sing and dance with Belmira once again.
Due to the pandemic, a private service will be held for Domingos’ immediate family only. A public memorial to celebrate his life will be held later in the year. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Deborah Hospital Foundation.
To view the live streaming of Domingos' funeral Mass, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/829388947912512 at 11:30am on Monday, January 18, 2021.
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