This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Cosmo Dominelli , born on November 26, 1944 and passed away peacefully with family by his side, on January 12, 2019.
After cremation, his ashes will lay to rest in the Robinson Memorial Park Cemetery. We will remember him forever.
To Donate to the BC Cancer foundation:
Cosmo was a teacher with a big heart. It was through action not words that he was forever delivering life lessons. He inspired and patiently encouraged us to learn and grow and understand the world around us.
Cosmos spirited adventuring planted the seed of curiosity in our minds. Whether it was fishing expeditions or hiking through the forest he passed on his love and connectedness with nature to all of us. I remember the tranquillity just floating on the water while fishing with my dad. That is until the little bell on the rod would start to ring... The excitement and the anticipation lit up his face. This peace and stillness he found on these fishing trips where his essence.
Cosmo's connection with his roots in Serra San Bruno kept him grounded throughout his life. He was the only one of 11 children that was born in a storage shed full of chestnuts just outside of their hometown.
It seems like no coincidence that this extraordinary way he was brought into this world would carry on his whole life always keeping his spirit connected with nature.
As a child the outdoors would inspire his self invented games. The forest provided sticks and rocks and he would make up the rules. It was these games created in the forest and watching his father and older brother Sam work in the fire mounds which further connected his fun fiery spirit and love for nature .
This Innovacion and creativity followed him throughout his childhood and into his new home in Canada . As a young teen, Cosmo not even being able to speak a single word of English and with only his math book in hand from Italy, courageously started high school in Port Coquitlam.
His intelligence and determination proudly placed him in math and shop classes a year ahead of the regular classes . As a new immigrant in the school he soon reached celebrity status with his gymnastic and track successes . He loved learning a new language and a new culture despite its challenges .
He was a creator of beautiful things. Projects often self-taught and seemingly build out of nowhere. His was dedicated to the rock wall built at our home on Allouettr made me realize that dad could do anything. it started by rhythmically smashing the rocks sitting through the dirt constructing the wall piece by piece and ending with a beautiful Rock wall. I grew up thinking that maybe all men were as innovative skilled and loved building as much as my dad. But I soon realized that his passion and ingenuity was uniquely Cosmo. This continued with the design and build on paradise. The fishpond paving stones underground irrigation and creative solutions to mouse traps that involves tricking the mouse into I hefty dinner followed by a quick release into Mundy Park.
Cosmo was always fascinated with electricity and electronics and was always looking for something more in his life. He took the opportunity to join Royal Canadian army medical Corps in 1966 as they were offering electrical courses and he hoped to train for medical electronics. He completed basic military training and was stationed in Wainwright, north of Edmonton. After basic military training he went north of Toronto to do the medical component of his training. This gave him the opportunity to fulfill his curiosity of travel in the world.
He went to Willingdon, Delaware to visit his grandfather, Pisani but first time. After medical training he was posted in Chilliwack then Victoria where he met my mother Susan. he left the military soon after and enrolled in biomedical electronics at BCIT. My sister, Lisa ,was born during his second year of school and his passion for family and education shone through while raising a young family with perseverance. After BCIT he switched into sound in communication with Radio Service Engineers working in hospitals, schools and correctional facilities from 1971, loving this dream, for 36 years until retirement.
Cosmo remained young at heart showcasing his spontaneity and humo Cosmo remained young at heart showcasing his spontaneity and humour. Like breaking out randomly a little jig on his way to the kitchen or most recently made a joke by offering his oxygen mask to his brother-in-law Ken while he was intensely coughing.
Cosmo constantly defy the odds and refused to let others decide his fate and endured many physical and emotional challenges. He was fearless. He never once complained or wallow in self pity. Cosmo a strong, courageous, proud and independent and was always determined to do his best no matter what life threw at him.
Cosmo is a role model for life itself and an inspiration for all.
His humility, wisdom and spirit will always be in our hearts. ❤️
There is no trace of a doubt that Cosmo always put his Family First.He was always available when you needed him and always present at family functions.Family was very important to him and he did not let his cancer or circumstances stop him from participating in Family events. It would have been much easier for him physically and emotionally to not do anything, but this was never his intention.He didn’t choose easy, but chose love and connection instead..
He proved this to us one last time when he showed up at our 2018 Family Christmas Dinner.It was not easy for him and his family to pack and bring all the machines and apparatus he needed to make the visit. Nor was it ever easy for him to see and smell the food he could not eat. But once again he proved that love and connection with family was a strong priority and always came first.
Great Sense of Humor Cosmo loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor. One of the best memories I have is watching Joe Avati, the Australian, Calabrese Comedian together with Cosmo. All the brothers and sisters went to Joe Avati’s live performance when he was in town and we also watched his DVD’s several times. This was a special time, because not, only were we able to connect with a fellow Calabrese, but we also felt a deep connection together as a family. The best part about being there with Cosmo was watching and listening to Cosmolaugh and have fun. He giggled and laughed so hard, that it made everyone laugh even more.
-Viance Dominelli
Cosmo the Cat Charmer: When I went to visit, he would often greet me at the door with the cat wrapped around his neck like a fur collar. Other times he would toss the cat up high into the air and then catch it on the way down. I was always amazed at how the cat never scratched him or attempted to run away. His feline friends were like putty in his hands.
-Viance Dominelli
