Happy Birthday, John Domenico

That was certainly a fantastic occasion Saturday when friends, family, former colleagues, and former students gathered at the Winthrop Arms Restaurant to honor former Winthrop High School Principal John Domenico on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

John has contributed to this community in so many ways: as an educator, an administrator, a coach, and a mentor to countless Winthrop students whose lives were affected by him in a positive manner.

John is a member of the WHS Hall of Fame Committee,  all the members of which were present to recognize this distinguished gentleman who still loves being a resident here (although he also enjoys his annual winter sojourns to Arizona).

John Domenico always has been a stalwart of our community, someone you can count on to boost Winthrop and do so without seeking the limelight.

John Domenico long has been an accomplished tennis player — he was a founder and organizer of the town tennis tourney in the 1970s — and some of his tennis buddies were at the party, remarking how John’s game has improved and he still “brings it” in every match.

The best part of Saturday’s 90th birthday celebration came when John took the microphone and went table-to-table and person-to-person and spoke about the relationships he had built with each guest, whether it be through education, sports, community service, or in his membership in local organizations.

His remarks were warm and from the heart and the memories he shared — such as recalling how Maureen Gill, the wife of former Council President Peter Gill, was an excellent candlepin bowler in the Lodge of Elks League — brought smiles to everyone in the room.

It was a proud and memorable day for John’s family, including his wife, Elaine, as they witnessed first-hand how much John is admired and loved by so many people whose lives have been touched by this warm and caring gentleman.

The words of the poet Wordsworth come to mind when we think of John Domenico:

The best portion of a good man’s life; 

His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.

Happy birthday, John, and thank you for all you have done to make Winthrop a better place for all of us.