Dominick M. Lonardo

dominick lonardo

July 21, 1931 ~ December 9, 2024

Born in: Derby, CT
Resided in: Hamden, CT

Dominick M. Lonardo, 93, of Hamden, beloved husband, father, grandfather and educator, entered into eternal rest December 9, 2024 with his family by his side.
Don is predeceased by Marie, his loving wife of 67 years, and is survived by his loving and devoted daughter Marie, sons, Dominic of Arlington, Virginia, John and James of Hamden, and Richard and his wife Barbara-Jean of Milford, and his cherished granddaughter, Anna Marie of Milford.
Don was born on July 21, 1931 in Derby, the son of the late Michael and Mary Lonardo. He was predeceased by his brothers, Domenico (infant), Theodore, and John, and sister, Eleanor Castiello.
Don graduated from Derby High School and went on to graduate from Fairfield University, where he received his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Sixth Year degree, having majored in Administration and Guidance. He also received a Certificate of Advanced Study in Religious Education from Sacred Heart University.
Don was employed by the Milford Board of Education for 40 years. He taught at Seabreeze School from 1953-1954. From 1954-1956 he served in the U.S. Army and was assigned to teach at the Army Education Center in Heilbronn, Germany. He returned to teach grade 8 at Seabreeze School from 1956-1960, when he was appointed Vice Principal at Orange Avenue School. He returned to Seabreeze School as principal, a position he held until his appointment to the Central Office as Administrative Assistant for grades K-12.
In addition to being principal of Seabreeze School, for a time Don served as evening director of the Adult Education Program. He also served as the principal of the high school summer program. While at the Central Office, one of his duties was recruiting for and supervising the substitute teacher program. It was there that he wrote a “Handbook for a Substitute Teacher.” Don retired in 1992.
While at Seabreeze, Don introduced the Reading Is Fundamental program (RIF), intended to encourage and stress the importance of reading. As a reward, the students were allowed to select books for themselves.
He also stressed with students the importance of being thankful for what you had, while also being aware and considerate of others’ needs. With that in mind, the students and staff participated in fundraising projects such as Jump Rope for Heart, the St. Jude Math-a-Thon, and raising funds to construct a classroom in two African countries as part of the Peace Program.
Don emphasized the importance of parents in their children’s education. He initiated a Parent Volunteer program in which parents received training to help classroom teachers who desired assistance. Seabreeze School received a federal grant to establish a Parents’ Resource Room, where parents could borrow games and materials to help their children learn at home.
Don was very active at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Hamden, where he was a former Eucharistic Minister, a lector, and an instructor in the faith formation program. He also assisted with the St. Coletta Center Journey Program for individuals with special needs. Following his retirement, he served as Director of the Faith Formation (Religious Education) for 23 years, leaving that position in 2018. With assistance from his dedicated catechists, Don initiated a monthly Youth Mass, where students assisted with the Mass and the very popular “Vacation Bible Camp,” which was held for 17 years.
He served as the president of the Barry Junior High School PTO and the Holy Name Society, where he was selected Man of the Year in 1971. He also served on the Parish Council for many years. As a charter member of the former Charles Kavanaugh Knights of Columbus Council, he held various positions.
Don was also involved in various community activities, having served as Cubmaster of Church Street School Cubpack 2 for 10 years. He was active for several years in the Hamden Fathers’ sports programs, serving as a coach/manager in baseball, basketball, and football, having served as the president of the football association. For several years, he was employed as Athletic Director of Camp Palmer in Oxford during the summer months. He was a member of the Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps for several years. He enjoyed music, sports, reading, gardening, cooking, and traveling with Marie.
Don’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the many dedicated and compassionate healthcare professionals that helped him.
Friends and relatives are invited to visit with Don’s family from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 17th in Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. in St. Paul VI Parish-Blessed Sacrament Church, 321 Circular Ave., Hamden. Burial will follow in Beaverdale Memorial Park. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8517, or to Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 295 Benham St., Hamden, CT 06514. To send condolences, please see Don’s obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com.

Services

Visitation: December 17, 2024 8:30 am - 10:30 am

Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service - Hamden
2300 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518

203-288-0800

Mass of Christian Burial: December 17, 2024 11:00 am

Blessed Sacrament Church
321 Circular Avenue
Hamden, CT 06514


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