David Kane

Dominick A. Despenzire, age 86, of Lincoln Park passed away on Monday, August 23, 2021.

Dominick was born and raised in Newark, NJ and was one of two children to Angelo and Concetta Despenzire.  As a young boy, Dominick played baseball growing up in Newark and while attending Arts High School in Newark, he played the position of catcher for the High School baseball team.  Dominick graduated from Arts High School in Newark with the class of 1953.  Following his graduation, Dominick began working for Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company in Newark.

While employed at Mutual Benefit Life Insurance, Dominick attended night classes at Rutgers University in Newark where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business in 1969.  During his years at Mutual Benefit Insurance in 1961, Dominick met Nancy Tamburri. As fate would have it, they fell in love and became husband and wife on July 21, 1963.  After getting married, Dominick and Nancy settled in Belleville where they lived for more than thirty years.  While living in Belleville, the couple welcomed the birth of their one and only daughter Donna.  In 2003, Dominick and Nancy moved to West Paterson and eventually moved to Lincoln Park eight years ago where they have been ever since.

Dominick was the epitome of a gentleman. He was a soft-spoken man, and the kindest and gentlest of souls. He was a selfless person who always put the needs of his family and others before his own. Nothing in the world meant more to him than providing for and spending time with his family.

Throughout the years, he and his family would spend their summers at their summer home in Ortley Beach at the Jersey Shore.  Their Family gatherings at his daughter Donna’s house, such as Sunday Dinner, birthday celebrations, and holidays were treasured by Dominick and his family.

“Grandpa Dom”, as everyone called him, cherished spending time helping raise his two granddaughters, Nicole and Christine.  He would take them to school every day, help them with their homework, teach them to read and write, do crafts with them and take them for long walks. He never missed a moment of their life. Above all, “Grandpa Dom” taught and showed them, by example, true and unconditional love.

Dominick was a voracious reader of all types of literature, especially novels.  He was a devoted New York Yankees and New York Giants fan.  He was a long-time member and past President of the Unico Newark Chapter, the largest Italian American service organization in the United States.  Dominick enjoyed frequenting different casinos, his favorite game being Craps.

Dominick is survived by his wife Nancy (nee Tamburri) of Lincoln Park, one daughter; Donna Pescatore of Wayne, one sister Anna Rubulotta of Totowa, two granddaughters; Nicole Pescatore of Wayne, and Christine Pescatore of Wayne, one brother-in-law; Sam Tamburri of Cedar Grove and many nieces and nephews.

Dominick was the epitome of a gentleman and it was an honor and privilege to know him. He will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew him. There is no one else like “Grandpa Dom”.

Donations in Dominick’s name may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. http://www.stjude.org