Dominic F. Esposto
Dominic F. Esposto, 91, of Avella, passed away peacefully Friday, October 19, 2018, surrounded by family.
He was born April 1, 1927, in Mt. Washington, the youngest son of the late Domenico and Giovanna Calabria Esposto, immigrants from Reggio Calabria, Italy.
Dominic was a 1944 graduate of Scott High School in North Braddock.
Dominic began his entrepreneurial career as a coal operator with his father in 1944 in Monroeville. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Alice Malley, on April 24, 1948, the two moved to Avella and founded Esposto Coal Co. Dominic and Alice then purchased Breezy Heights Tavern in January 1954. In 1961, while Alice operated the tavern, Dominic became a partner in Houston Foundry Inc. and operated Library Lanes, a bowling alley in Library. After leaving Houston Foundry in 1967, he formed a similar business, Atlas Alloys, near Burgettstown. As Dominic’s love for the coal business never waned, he and other business partners formed Crescent Hills Coal Co. in 1971. The coal boom of the 1970s enabled Dominic and his brother to purchase another coal mine in 1980, forming Shannopin Mining Co. in Bobtown.
After retiring from the coal business in 1992, Dominic returned to Breezy Heights to help his wife and son Rick expand the tavern into a full-service restaurant. During his “retirement,” Dominic expanded his beef cattle operation on his farm behind Breezy Heights. Through all these businesses, Dominic employed hundreds of people over the years. He especially enjoyed working with his seven grandchildren on the farm and at the restaurant.
Dominic was an avid hunter his whole life, especially enjoying big game hunting in Alaska, Africa, Wyoming and Canada. His trophies have been enjoyed by countless numbers of customers as they are on display at Breezy Heights. Dominic loved to travel with his wife and family to all parts of the world, especially Italy. He loved wine making with family and friends, curing his own Italian meats and entertaining at the pavilion on the farm. He was a lifelong Steelers fan and season ticket holder during the 1970s, attending all four Super Bowls of that era.
He was a member of St. Michael Roman Catholic Church of Avella, Avella Athletics Inc. and Washington Cattlemen’s Association. He was a past officer for Safari Club International and was a founding member of Washington County Tavern Association, where he was a past president.
Dominic is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Alice, and their children, Richard M. Esposto of Washington, Lauren Goodman of Pittsburgh and Sally (Randy) McClanahan of Birmingham, Ala. Dominic is also survived by seven grandchildren, Alison (Jeremy) Johnson of Marlboro, N.J., Josh (Jessica) Goodman of Fairfield, Conn., Jim (Kari) Esposto of Chicago, Ill., Dan Goodman of Kirksville, Mo., Joe Goodman of Pittsburgh, Matt Esposto of Chicago and Richard (Adrienne) Esposto Jr. of Chicago; six great-grandchildren, Samantha, Emma, Gabriel, Sydney, Benjamin and Hudson; many nieces; a nephew; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was the last of his immediate family. Preceding Dominic in death are his brothers, Joseph Esposto and Orphia Esposto; son-in-law Dr. Richard Goodman; and daughter-in-law Frances Esposto.
Friends and family will be received from noon to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Jerome A. Stefkovich Funeral Home Inc., 18 Campbell Street, Avella, PA 15312. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, October 22, in St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, 97 Highland Avenue, Avella, with Father Harry R. Bielewicz officiating. Burial will be in Independence Cemetery, Avella.
Memorial contributions may be made to West Middletown Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 97, West Middletown, PA 15379; Avella Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box G, Avella, PA 15312; and Avella Athletics Inc., P.O. Box 204, Avella, PA 15312.
Condolences may be expressed at www.stefkovichfuneralhome.com.