Domenico “Dominic” “Dom” Fallacaro passed on Memorial Day, May 28, 2018, in Orange City, Florida, at the age of 95.
Dominic was born on March 4, 1923 in Buffalo to Vinzenzo and Andonetta (Barbuto) Fallacaro. Both parents were born in Giovinazzo, Italy and emigrated to the United States. Dom was a proud and patriotic first generation American. Following his father’s death, the family moved to Hudson Falls where his mother married James Battiste. They operated a family grocery business.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Dom enlisted in the Marine Corps as part of the Pacific Fleet, 5th Amphibian Corp, and the 2nd 155 Howitzer Battery. He was on Iwo Jima when the flag was raised and was honorably discharged to return home on Christmas Eve 1945.
On May 12, 1946, he married the love of his life, Corsignana “Grace” Eplite, an Italian immigrant living Schenectady NY. Together they took over the family business from his step-father and renamed it “Dom’s Market.” Popular for its hand-carved meats and homemade Italian sausage, the store became an institution on Oak Street. Multiple generations of children enjoyed talking with Dom as they selected their favorite treat from the glass front candy case. Dom and Grace worked side by side until their retirement in 1985.
After retirement, Dom and Grace split their time between Orange City, Florida and Glen Lake. Dom transformed their lake camp into a home surrounded by stone walls he built by hand. He loved spending Sundays at the lake with friends and family.
Dom was extremely active in the community and proud to call Hudson Falls home for many years. He was involved with Boy Scouts, where his two sons became Eagle Scouts. He coached baseball, belonged to the Italian-American Club, Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus Council 6274 and the Glen Lake Preservation Association. As a proud veteran, he was the last surviving charter member of the Marine Corps League Memorial Detachment #2. He spent countless hours volunteering and serving his community, but his passion was for Toys for Tots (now the Tri-County Marines Toys for Girls and Boys). He was also a life-time and active member of the American Legion Post #574 in Hudson Falls and the V.F.W. Post #8093, Debary, FL.
Dom was a devout Catholic and was an active member of both St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Deland, FL and St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s in Hudson Falls.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his infant daughter Janet Rosa, his sisters Anna Rose Bennett (Harold), Mary Tarantino (Ernest), and Nicolletta Gillman (James), his infant grandsons Daniel and Joseph LaPan, and his beloved nephews Scott Michael (USMC) and Daniel Gillman.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years Grace Fallacaro, daughters Antoinette LaPan (David) and Rosemary Fallacaro of Hudson Falls, sons James Fallacaro of Orange City, FL and Michael Fallacaro (Joan) of Niskayuna, sister Florence Jarvis (Dale) of Queensbury, sister-in-law Jennie Eplite McCadden of Schenectady, brothers-in-law Michael Eplite of New Smyrna Beach, FL, and Gaetano “Guy” Eplite (Jean) of Milford, MA. His grandchildren include, Matthew LaPan (Melissa), Andrea LaPan Hess (Richard), Cassandra Bixler (Douglas), Renee Vitale (Jacob), Dominic Fallacaro and Anthony Fallacaro. He is also survived by his five great-grandchildren, Karleigh LaPan, Katelynn LaPan, Daniel Hess, Joseph LaPan and Benjamin Bixler and many nieces and nephews of whom he cherished.
His greatest joy was his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved attending their ballgames, music and dance recitals, choir and band concerts, school plays and graduations.
Friends may call on Sunday, June 10, 2018 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls, with Marine Corps League Memorial Detachment #2, standing honor guard at the casket. Hudson Falls American Legion Post #574 will say prayers on Sunday evening at 5 p.m. at the funeral home.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 11, 2018 at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church on the park in Hudson Falls.
The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward, with full military honors.
Should friends and family desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Tri-County Marines Toys for Girls and Boys, Marine Corps League Memorial Detachment No. 2, 3033 State Route 4, Hudson Falls, NY 12839 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.