Norwich, VT - Morris Antonio Domingue, 87, passed away August 6, 2014, surrounded by his family. Morris was born the youngest of six children to Emile and Lethesia Domingue on July 29, 1927 in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Born deaf, Morris attended the Clarke School for the Deaf in Northampton, Massachusetts where he learned to lip-read. The Clarke School chose not to teach sign language as part of their education program so Morris learned the sign language from his friends that attended other deaf schools. At the age of 17, Morris went to work to support his mother's family. During this time, Morris built upon his school experience of linotyping and began working at the Gazette Printing Company nights. He and a co-worker received a letter of accommodation for meeting a deadline during one particular difficult night of machines breaking down.
Morris was Captain of the Deaf Basketball team in Holyoke, Massachusetts, receiving an all-star trophy. With a group of friends on and off the basketball team they began and chartered the Holyoke Athletic and Social Club for the Deaf. Morris served as secretary and then as president. He continued to visit the Holyoke Deaf Club throughout his years until the time of his death. The club held a special place in his heart as it opened many doors for the deaf people to come together to socialize amongst the various clubs chartered through the northeast and in parts of the mid-west.
In June 1950 Morris wed Florence S Gagne in Berlin, N.H. He truly cherished and loved her until the time of his passing. Morris spent some time in Berlin working a Rubber plant and a Laundromat. However, always seeking to learn as he worked, he followed his ambition and returned to linotyping at a newspaper in Lewiston, Maine for a short time, then in Woodsville, N.H. at a small print shop. In 1956 he applied for and accepted a job at Dartmouth Printing Company until his retirement in 1991.
While at Dartmouth Printing Morris saw the changes from manual to computer printing. Morris adapted and would bring a computer home at night to practice and become efficient at using it.
Morris and Florence raised their eleven children in Norwich, VT in the ranch style home that he built in 1957. This home expanded with additions and changes as his family grew. He was an active participant at St. Francis of Assisi, and would help with the annual Fairgrounds clean up.
In May of 1970 Morris achieved his high school diploma through the Hartford High School Adult Program. This paved the way for Morris to attend a 1971 deaf conference at San Fernando State College in CA. Morris spent a month going to classes to learn how to help the hearing and deaf community work together, thus opening doors for the deaf members to expand their living and work opportunities.
In recent years Morris has enjoyed traveling from Florida to Iowa visiting his various family members. He enjoyed spending time getting to know his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Morris was predeceased by Florence, his beloved wife of 56 years in 2006, and his son Daniel in 1988. Survivors include: five daughters; Lynn Aston (husband Bob) of Lunenburg, MA, Carol Landry (husband Brian) of Greensville, N.C., Loretta Kelley (husband Bob) of Keystone FL, Della Domingue (husband Ed Mason) of Fairlee, VT, Sue Precourt (husband Steve) of S. Burlington, VT. Five sons; Michael of S. Burlington, VT, James (wife Andrea) of Palmyra, VA, Ronald (wife Nancy) of Winter Park, FL, Robert (wife Kim) of Goldsboro, N.C., Paul (wife Heather) of Londonderry, NH.
He is also survived by twenty-two grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren; Jennifer Wagner (husband Rick; children Stephanie and Sarah) of Maine, Cynthia Rusch (husband Steve; children Kaylea and Abigail) of Iowa, Kathleen (husband Joe; children Ashley and Porter) of NC, Joe Kelley of NC, Christopher Domingue of VT, Bradley Domingue (wife Margrette) of VT, Thomas Domingue (wife Eva) of FL, Nicholas Domingue (wife Laura; children Mason and Miles) of CO, Ashley Domingue (son Jake) of NH, Candis and Elizabeth Domingue of NH, Eric and Jeremy Domingue of CA, Stephanie Domingue (daughter Sophia), and Jason Domingue (children Alyssas and Jessica), Reiland and Ainsley Domingue of FL, Alex and Adam Domingue of NC, Nicole, Brendan, and Kristen Precourt of VT. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made to one's personal choice.
His life will be honored and celebrated on Friday evening, August 8, 2014 at the Knight Funeral Home on Kennedy Pond in Windsor, VT from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. There will be a Catholic mass burial on Saturday, August 9, at 1:00 p.m. at the St Francis of Assisi Church in Norwich., VT.