Berry Vrbanovic · @berryonline
15th Apr 2013 from TwitLonger
REMEMBERING MAYOR DOM......
On behalf of Mayor Dom's fellow friends and neighbours in Ward 2, I too want to extend my condolences to his wife Mary, all of Dom's children and his extended family on Dom's passing.
Dom was an incredible individual. Passionate about everything Kitchener, helping the "litttle guy" and making our community a great place to live was what Dom was all about.
Mayor Zehr is right when he says one can talk about all the things that Dom had a hand-in during his remarkable 32-year career in civic politics - ranging from the city's first community centre in Centreville-Chicopee on Morgan Avenue over 32 years ago, to the construction of the new City Hall which started the renewal of Downtown Kitchener.
However, what Dom will be remembered for the most was his treatment and genuine love of people. Whether it was his students as a high school phys-ed teacher, or his constituents later on as a ward alderman and eventual 12-year Mayor, Dom always had time for everyone, letting them know they mattered, and were an important part of our great community.
I remember first meeting Dom back in Grade 7 or 8, as I attended St. Anthony Daniel elementary school with Dom's daughter Maria. It wasn't until my high school years though, when I began to have an interest in politics, that I came to appreciate what Dom meant to our community. I'll never forget shortly after I started a full-time job in the summer after first year university in the City Clerk's department. Dom came in the back stairs (he always took the stairs to stay healthy), recognized I was someone new, gave me my requisite pen and pin, and then said I've met you before haven't I. We had many conversations during the summers that followed. For a young impressionable 19 year-old, those early encounters left a strong impression on me, that to this day continues to shape my notion of public service. Some 18-years later since entering elected life myself in the ward that Dom once represented, I continue to be inspired by the values of elected leadership that he demonstrated.
Dom has left an indelible mark on me and thousands throughout our community and beyond. His loss will be felt by everyone, and in particular by his loving wife, Mary, and all of Dom's children, in-laws, grand-children, extended family and friends. We were all better for having known him. May our collective memories of Dom serve us well in the days ahead and in particular, may they bring comfort to Mary and his family as we say goodbye and thank you to them for having shared him with all of us.
RIP Dom! I'm sure your personal supply of pens and pins is waiting for you upstairs! God bless!