Pop’s 80th Surprise Party Video
80 years of Dom DeDio
To My Pop❤️, Miss you every single day
I do not have the right words for the ache in my heart right now when it comes to losing my Pop. If you know me, you know the love, admiration and respect I have for my number one guy and that pride I have with being so close to my grandpa. My Pop has been there for me since day one but moved mountains for me especially after I got hurt. His love for me was so constant and strong. I have relied on his strength and character for many years to keep me going. Dominick DeDio truly and deeply lived for his wife, kids and us 8 grandkids. Sitting there for hours on the beach with him in our beach chairs, listening to his stories about working down the shore over the summers when he was young, enjoying his company and the smell of the ocean will be some of my cherished memories with him. His hearty laugh, his love for fishies and licorice, his smile and hardworking hands and the way he would throw up the “I love you” sign with those very same hands too. His “Popisms”, the way he would hug me and all his words of encouragement over the years. That staple of a dance move we called “The Dom”. His love for fishing and golf. His “hiyas”, his support at EVERY single life event that I had, his love for his friends (hope you are with Uncle Joe right now laughing away) and scotch. The way he would just simply sit with his legs crossed and listen to us LaPorta girls go at it at the dining room table. Providing me the means of my first handicap accessible car that got me my bachelors degree and co-signing on our condo. The way he would light up when he talked about watching my mom play basketball in high school and college. It’s been a privilege and honor to be his first grandchild. I really hope I made him proud every day because he deserved that and so much more from me. Not a day will go by that I don’t carry him with me and all the cherished memories made because of him. What will life be like without him, I do not know and don’t we all wish we never would have to find out…but here we are. I love you so much Pop, the type of love that is everlasting, will never waver and goes far beyond the depth of any sea. 🕊️💔
