Dominic F. Rapacioli

SALAMANCA — Dominic F. Rapacioli, 101, of Salamanca, died early Wednesday morning (Dec. 3, 2025) at the Absolut Care of Salamanca, following a long illness.

Born Sept. 27, 1924, in Salamanca, he was the son of the late Louis and Dominica Speroni Rapacioli. He was married June 26, 1954, in the former St. Patrick’s Church, to the former Patricia DeGain, who predeceased him in 2010.

He was a graduate of Salamanca High School, Class of 1943. While a student, he took second place in a New York State high school business contest held at Syracuse University in 1942.

In February 1943, Dominic volunteered to join the U.S. Army and was one of six members of his family to serve in the armed forces during WWII. Inducted in March 1943, he was sent to Fort Lawton, Wash., for basic training in a new organized unit, the 508 Port Battalion. In June of that year, the unit was deployed to the Alaskan Defense Campaign.

Returning to Fort Lawton in September, he learned that his unit was being reassigned to the China Burma India Theater of war. While in Calcutta, India, his unit was awarded the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque for making the base the foremost military port installation in all theaters of war. There, he met up with several Salamancans, including his older brother, Joseph.

After 26 months, he returned home in February 1946, receiving an honorable discharge as a T4, and earning the American Defense, Asiatic Pacific, Good Conduct, and World War II Victory Medals.

In September 1946, Dominic enrolled in Rider College in Trenton, N.J., graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. He later attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., to pursue graduate studies.

In June 1952, he was employed by the NYS Dept. of Taxation as an auditor in the Buffalo District Office, working his way up through the department, moving to associate excise tax examiner of the Albany District Office in 1974, transferring to the Rochester District Office as district administrator in 1979, and finally retiring in December 1984.

While administrator of the Rochester office, he took an active role in the United Fund Drive, receiving the Distinguished Volunteer Service Award from the State Employment Federated Appeal Council in November 1984. He was appointed to the State Awards Committee, where he determined awards payments for other employees’ worthwhile ideas.

He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, the former St. Patrick’s Church, where he served as usher for many years. He was also a member of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535, a life member and past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296, and a former member of the Elkdale Country Club, where he served as a director.  He also belonged to the Mr. & Mrs. Club, Scouts, AARP and served as chairman of the Salamanca Civil Service Commission.

Dominic was an avid golfer, who played hundreds of golf courses throughout the eastern and midwestern U.S. and Ontario, Canada, over the course of his time as a traveling auditor. He had travelled extensively throughout the U.S., having been in all 48 continental states. He also enjoyed visiting the casino.

Surviving are several loving and caring nieces and nephews, who have been a great help to him since the passing of his wife, Patricia, in 2010.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by sisters, infant Mary Rapacioli, Theresa Vesneski, Bernadette Rapacioli and Esther Roff; and seven brothers, John Rapacioli, Peter Rapacioli, Joseph Rapacioli, Bill Rapacioli, Bernadette Rapacioli, Sivio Roff and James Roff.

Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday (Dec. 10, 2025) at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River St., Salamanca. A prayer service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday (Dec. 11, 2025) in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Peace Parish, 274 Broad St., Salamanca, with Rev. John Trela as celebrant. Full military honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.