Dr. Dominic Michael Gioffre, Sr. passed away in the arms of his loving family on Saturday, October 20, 2018. He was 74 years young.
Dominic, affectionately known as “Hub,” was a Wilmington native who attended Christ Our King and Salesianum schools. After graduating from Sallies, he attended Fordham University and continued on to receive his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Maryland.
Hub served two years in the United States Air Force as a dentist, where he was stationed in Rome, NY. He returned to Wilmington in 1972, where he started his own private dental practice and devoted every Wednesday to the AI DuPont Children’s Hospital. He became a leader in the dental community, eventually serving as the President of the Delaware Dental Society. He practiced for 47 years and loved every minute of it. He was respected and beloved by his peers, patients and staff.
Hub loved life, and lived every day to the fullest. He was kind, compassionate and generous with his time, going on missionary trips with his son Michael for Operation Smile. He was an active member at the Wilmington Country Club where he enjoyed spending time with his dear friends playing tennis, golf and squash. He loved to travel and explore other countries and cultures with the love of his life, his wife of 52 years, Eileen.
Together, he and Eileen created a family and built a beautiful life.
Dr. Gioffre is pre-deceased by his adored daughter Michele, who passed away this summer, as well as his parents Frank and Freda Gioffre, his brother Frank Gioffre and his sister Irene Hannum. He is survived by his wife Eileen, his daughter Christina Gioffre, his son, D. Michael Gioffre, Jr. (Krista), and his youngest daughter, Sarah Gioffre Rogers (Jim); his son-in-law Steve Smith; grandchildren Sophia Gioffre, Abigail Brainard and Dominic M. Gioffre III, Connor and Jack Smith, and Jake, Rose and Kate Rogers. He is also survived by his siblings: Joe (Marge), Ralph (Audrey), Lucille Eyre (Bill), Marion Buddo (Jim), George (Joanne), William (Linda), Bess Beste (Robert), and Deborah. His large family was the pride and joy of his life, and he was always happiest when he was surrounded by them.
Hub was so proud of the people that he loved and let them know that often. He was always on your side — he lifted you when you were down and he made you feel as though there was nothing you couldn’t accomplish. He lived life as an adventure and greeted each day with wonder, curiosity and gratitude. And, lucky for us, he brought us along for the beautiful ride.
That is his legacy and his life was a powerful lesson for us all.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been established at Salesianum School in honor of Dominic. Donations to the fund may be made in his memory and sent to 1801 N. Broom Street, Wilmington, DE 19802.
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