Special Olympics

ROMEO – Dominic J., 79, of Babylon Village, New York, died peacefully on September 16, 2021. Beloved husband of Jeraldine; loving father of Marie (Daniel), Nina (Andrew), and James (Janine); cherished grandfather of Emily, Christopher, Benjamin, Nicholas, and Noelle; and dear brother of Anthony. After growing up in Flushing, Queens, Dominic attended Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA, where he met Jerri, his loving wife of 55 years. Dominic started his career in education as a classroom teacher for BOCES on Long Island and later as an educational therapist at Craig House-Technoma in Pittsburgh, PA. After earning his Ph.D. at the University of Pittsburgh, he became Director of the Autistic Program at the Cincinnati Center for Developmental Disorders and an Associate Professor in the Department of Early Childhood/Special Education at the University of Cincinnati. Returning to Long Island, he became Director of Education at Suffolk Child Development Center in Smithtown. He was also Adjunct Professor at Long Island University C.W. Post Center and SUNY Stony Brook. He returned to Eastern Suffolk BOCES as a principal and ended his career teaching graduate and undergraduate students at St. Joseph’s College in the Child Study Department. Funny, loving, and warm, Dominic was a talented photographer, a devoted Yankees fan, a great family man, and a wonderful friend to many. Visitation at Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons West Islip Funeral Home, 1225 Montauk Hwy. (1/4 mile west of the Robert Moses Cswy.) on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 from 4:00pm until 8:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Wednesday, September 22, 2021 11:15am, at St. Joseph R.C. Church in Babylon Village. Interment to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Dominic’s family requests that donations be made to the Special Olympics. www.chapeyfamily.com