Dominic Joseph Papsidero passed away on Sept. 23, 2010. Born in 1921 to Italian emigrant parents from Ciquefrondi, Calabria, Italy, he was the youngest of eight siblings- James, Louis, Joseph, Teresa (Caristo), Kate (Furst), Rose (D’Andre) and Victoria (Pepper). In the early 1900s his parents, along with other paisan from Calabria, settled in Locust Valley as the stone masons and landscapers of the North Shore. Along with his siblings, he survived the Great Depression of 1929 and served in WWII. As a decorated Marine, his company was the first troop to land in Nagasaki, Japan after the atomic bomb.
After the war he started a family and settled in Queens County, NY. He was part of the first influx of American born Italians to join the New York City Police Department in the 1950s. He proudly served as a New York City policeman in the 112th Precinct for over 20 years.
Dominic was married to Ann (Vigilante) and Winifred (Tighe) who both predeceased him. He is survived by his sisters, Kate of Florida and Victoria California; daughters, Diane and Gail; grandchildren, Evanthia, Matthew and Nathaniel; and great-grandchildren, Peter and Leo. As a gentle and consummate family man of his era and, a devout practicing Catholic, Dominic remained a handsome and ardent golfer until the end.
Funeral Mass was held on Oct. 1 at St. Kilian Catholic Church. Interment LI National (Veteran) Cemetery with full military and New York City Police Department ceremony.
Memorial donations accepted by The Dominic Joseph Papsidero Memoriam, c/o 112th Precinct Community Council, New Immigrant Outreach Unit Program, 68-40 Austin St., Forest Hills, NY 11374. Make checks payable to the 112th Precinct Community Council.
The New Immigrant Outreach Unit serves as a link between the NYPD and new immigrant communities not traditionally engaged with the police department. New Immigrant Liaisons make presentations on police department policies, programs and services affecting new immigrant communities. In addition, liaisons are able to speak different languages which can better help communicate with the various immigrant communities.
