Dear Editor:
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Franco Di Domenica. Indeed, Franco Di Domenica was an “institution,” a “legend” in the Jersey City public school system. Franco Di Domenica provided outstanding, quality education to this city’s youth for over 25 years.
Franco Di Domenica was a devoted instructor – a “Professeur Extraordinaire” – and a teacher’s teacher. Franco Di Domenica – or, “Mr. Di,” as his students affectionately called him – was a modern day Renaissance Man who possessed many talents and excelled in diverse fields. He was an author, educator, scholar, humanitarian, journalist, community leader, politician, and patron of the arts.
As a teacher, “Mr. Di” not only taught us the Italian language but, also, the true meaning of “Being Italian,” as well as a love and appreciation for Italian culture and heritage. As a law teacher, he instilled in us, his students, a sincere respect for the law and how to work within the law. Truly, we all reaped the benefits of a devoted, top-notch, hardworking professional educator.
Franco Di Domenica’s laudable community efforts focused on helping all people. He was a frequent contributor to the opinion pages in all the local newspapers. We fondly remember diligently working with “Mr. Di” to get Fourth Street and P.S. No. 5 (Jersey City) named in honor of a great philanthropist, Doctor Michael Conti. We realized our success when P.S. No. 5 was finally designated the Michael Conti School in the 1980s. In his later years, Franco Di Domenica became the “Voice of the Italians” with his informative Sunday radio program.
In closing, we would like to share an anecdote with you. One day, at Ferris High School, Franco Di Domenica was having a conversation on the telephone – in Italian, of course. He saw us walking to lunch and beckoned us to his side. Mr. Di passed the phone to us. To our astonishment, on the other end of the line was none other than Luciano Pavarotti.
Franco Di Domenica will always have the love, respect, and admiration of all his students. Addio, Professore. Andate con Dio!
Albert J. Cupo and John Di Genio