Dominick Cardonita

CMSgt Dominick A. Cardonita, USAF Retired, died Saturday, July 28, 2012 in San Antonio. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at St Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church, 2525 Westview in Abilene, TX. Interment with full military honors will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. Rosary will be at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, August 1st at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 HWY 277 South, Abilene, TX 79606 with visitation following at 7:00 PM.

Dominick was born on May 27, 1941 in New Haven, CT the son of John and Teresa Cardonita Sr. He was a 1960 graduate of Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven and married Belen Lerma on February 15, 1972.

He is survived by his son, Edward and wife Diana of San Antonio daughter, Susan Cardonita of Abilene niece, Donna Cardonita greatniece, Giana and greatnephew, Lucio all of Guilford, CT and daughter, Theresa Beltran and husband Rick by a previous marriage.

His parents, his wife, Belen and his brother, John Jr. preceded him in death.
Dominick served for almost 25 years in the United States Air Force as a public affairs specialist, NCO and Supervisor, with assignments to Randolph AFB, Dyess AFB and Lackland AFB, Tx Phu Cat Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, Nakhom Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, Ramstein AB and Wiesbaden AB, Germany among his many duty stations. Upon retirement from the Air Force at Lackland AFB in 1985, he served in Air Force Security Service Headquarters, Security Hill, Kelly AFB, TX for over ten years in the Public Affairs office as a civilian supervisor.

His military decorations included the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Oustanding Unit Award, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm device and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Dom was active in American Legion Audie L. Murphy Post 336, San Antonio, TX, where he served as First Vice Commander, Membership Chairman, Public Relations Chairman and member of the Color Guard. He was instrumental in setting up and publicizing many of the posts public events, including their annual Pearl Habor Day pancake breakfast honoring Pearl Harbor Survivors. Post 336 had already nominated Dom for recognition and the award of the Legions Weekly Publication Award to the American Legions Texas Department, which will be determined and awarded at their MidWinter Convention in January, 2013. He was a member of Chapter 14, Disabled American Veterans and a past member of the Knights of Columbus in San Antonio.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dominicks memory to, American Legion Audie L. Murphy Post 336, 6553 Bandera Rd, San Antonio, TX 78238 210 6844189

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
7:00 to 8:00 PM

Service

Rosary

Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
6:00 PM

Funeral Mass

St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church
2525 Westview Dr.
Abilene, TX  79603
Thursday, August 2, 2012
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606