Domenic M. Turillo

Domenic Michael Turillo , 91, passed away peacefully May 8, 2016 surrounded by family. He joins his wife Dorothy Biddle Turillo and his daughter Lucia Turillo in heaven.

He leaves behind his sons Nick, Chris, Robert, Scott and his wife Christine, Michael and his wife Cynthia, daughter Linda and her husband Arthur Levesque, Dorothy Hyman, Barbara Charron and her husband Bob, Penny Turillo, and Jill Briggs. He also leaves behind 40 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren.

As I sit and look at my father I feel a sensation of a man who was born in 1924 when electricity was just getting into most American homes. A young boy who grew up in Bristol during the Great Depression; TVs or even Radios weren't in many homes and only the lucky had a refrigerator. Man had not even stepped on the moon. Nights must have been star filled skies full of dreams. Than as he grew with most of this generation they all knew America was about to stop the advances of Hitler. At this time a young teenager what would we be thinking? Communism was also a threat. So he chose to go into the Navy and did not wait for the draft. With the attack of Pearl Harbor we entered into WWII as my father served in the Pacific. Soon after the war this man married a beautiful woman. In which they had 11 children. With a switch into the Coast Guard he became a well known hard worker and was giving his first Lighthouse Assignment ROSE Island in the late 40's. Soon after that he became the Beavertail Lighthouse Keeper and with 11 children Jamestown was his new home in 1951. Many stories Hurricane Carroll struck in 1954 what a storm. He retired in 1966 as the last Military caretaker at Beavertail with 27 years of Active Duty. Here we (a big family) are still in Jamestown as we bought a house smack in the middle of Narragansett Ave. So across the street Domenic went. A Jamestown Fire Department volunteer, he served on Engine 2 from 1963-1972 and as custodian and dispatcher from 1966 - 1970. He was a member of the American Legion and the Elks, Newport Lodge 104. After a few years he once again changed direction and started as a maintenance man at the Quonset Officer's Club. Going to College at the same time he quickly mastered a career in Food and Beverage assuming the Managers position. They all loved his abilities and he soon would be pulled to the Newport Officers club. With better offers he had a stay with Treadway Inn and then the White House Tavern. Then came his big move to Providence as he took over as the Holiday Inn Food and Beverage manager. Yes, acts like Elvis, Jackson Five you name it stayed there. He treated them all the same. He also worked at the Victory House on Federal Hill. Now about age 52 you think he was settled? Think again. While still up in Providence he started his own restaurant the Marina Grill in Jamestown soon to take over the Bayview Pub running both with his Sister Bridget and her husband and my mother. Most memorable 1976 Tall Ships event I still remember the lines of people waiting for breakfast. Then came a heartbreaker in 1981 when his wife and mother of 11 passed with breast cancer. He was still very active and also worked at the Oak Hill Tavern. Dad you have done more in your lifetime that I couldn't do in 3 lifetimes you set the bar high and you will be missed!! You have 40 some grandchildren and even more great. They will be open arms waiting for your arrival! We all love you.