Domenico Angelini

Domenico Angelini, age 100, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 2, 2024 surrounded by his family at his home. Domenico was born in Ascoli Piceno, Italy November 7, 1923, the first of 6 children of the late Francesco and Giuditta (Nee:Costantini) Angelini.

At the young age of 13, Domenico lost his father and shouldered the task of helping his mother raise their family. Domenico worked tirelessly at the family farm, assisting neighboring farmers with his tractor, and eventually starting a business with his brother Vincenzo harvesting travertino in their quarry (cava). After his mother passed away, Domenico immigrated to the United States in 1963 to find work and be near family and friends in Racine. On June 22, 1969, he married the love of his life, Nicolina Renga and brought her from Italy to Racine to start their new life. They were blessed with 2 children, Giuditta and Francesco and 6 grandchildren which were his pride and joy. Together Domenico and Nicolina shared nearly 53 years of marriage before she passed on January 21, 2022. Domenico was employed by J.I. Case Co for over 27 years and was a member of the J.I. Case 20 Year Club. Domenico was a devout Catholic, and since moving to Racine, he was an active member of St. Edward Catholic Church volunteering as an usher, at countless festivals, and bingo. Domenico loved the Italy he left behind and continued the old customs at his home in the US. Each January, Domenico donned his butcher’s cap and prepared the traditional cured meats as he had done so many times with his family in Italy. Prosciutto, lonza, sausage, and salami were hung in his cantina until they were ready to be enjoyed. Each spring he planted a large garden full of tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, and a variety of other vegetables. His small orchard of fruit trees included apples, peaches, pears, figs, apricots, plums, and cherries. All immaculately manicured to produce a bounty to be enjoyed by family, friends, and neighbors. His backyard vineyard, running the length of his yard, was a scenic getaway and a beautiful photo backdrop. The grapes he skillfully transformed into a lovely and robust homemade wine. “Nonno”, as he was called by his grandchildren, delighted them with his infectious laugh and stories of his daily battles against the squirrels and racoons who tried to steal all his hard work. Domenico was a master tinkerer and could fix almost anything. He was always the first to be called in our world before YouTube.

He will be dearly missed by his children Giuditta (Philip) Fraley and Francesco (Jennifer) Angelini; grandchildren Isabella, Gianna, Nicolina, Gabriella, Amilia, and Domenico, sister, Maria (Guglielmo) DeVecchis; nieces and nephews Rita (Aaron) Lawler, Marco (Kim) DeVecchis, Francesco (Cheryl) Angelini, and Giuditta Angelini, as well as a host of other dear relatives and friends. In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by siblings, Caterina (Giulio) Forcina, Vincenzo (Angela) Angelini, Gino (Pia) Angelini and Don Mario Angelini.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Edward Catholic Church, 1401 Grove Ave, on Thursday June 6, 2024, 11:00 am with Rev. Juan Camacho officiating. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church from 9 am until time of Mass at 11:00 am. Memorials to St. Edward Catholic Church or to Children’s Wisconsin have been suggested.