Donald Domike

DONALD ALLEN DOMIKE

Donald was born (as he said, “at a very young age”) on Sep 16, 1927 to Arthur Domike
Sr. and Veneta McCarthy Domike in Santa Monica, California. Don has one brother
Arthur Domike, Jr.

Donald graduated Loyola High School, Los Angeles, at age 16. He earned his Radio
Operators license by his 17th birthday and became a World War II Veteran when he
entered the US Coast Guard Merchant Marines as a Radio Operator and signed on with
the Peter Sylvester, a Liberty ship. On February 6, 1945, the Peter Sylvester was torpedoed and sunk 750 miles west of Perth, Australia. Donald, at age 17,spent three weeks in an over-filled lifeboat before being found.

(For additional information on the Peter Sylvester) see:_shttp://ss_peter_silvester.tripod.com/search_forurvivors_ss_peter_si.htm & http://ss_peter_silvester.tripod.com. These websites were researched and maintained by Donald for many years. The sites enabled him to reconnect with other survivors, one living within a few miles of him. Pictures and information were exchanged and Donald was again able to update the website and connect with yet more survivors.

After WWII, Donald received his Bachelor of Science in Engineer from the University of California, Los Angeles, and earned a Master's Degree in Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He participated in the United States Space Program in various positions on multiple rockets, such as Chief Electrical Engineer, Third Stage, Saturn V and working in various positions on other rockets such as Saturn, Mercury, Mariner and Apollo. Meanwhile, in his private life, Donald met Joyce when they were invited to the same bridge game. Smitten with each other they eventually married May 11, 1948. Five children were to follow from 1950 to 1966, (oldest to youngest) Daniel, Susan, Andrew, David and Paul. Sadly, Andrew preceded his father in death in 1973 when Andrew was 17).

Donald was a co-Founder of 'Informer Computer Terminals’. He helped develop one of the first video games, Pong, and help provide the 911 Emergency services with access to caller addresses. Later Donald and his wife Joyce would become the owners and operators of the 'Bigg's House Bed and Breakfast’ in Grass Valley, California. After leaving the bed and breakfast, Donald, now over 70, became a successful stockbroker.

After 57 years of marriage, Donald became a widow when Joyce died May 3, 2005. After his wife’s death, Donald retired and moved in with his son David and daughter Susan. Donald was an active member of the Lions Club organization for over 25 years while in Grass Valley and in Lancaster, California. He took great pride in being able to help this worthy organization. Donald Allen Domike was the caring son of Arthur and Veneta (McCarthy) Domike; devoted husband to Joyce Lagen Domike; loving father to Daniel, Tammy, Susan, Andrew, David, Paul and Wendy; doting grandfather to Ariela, Michael, Jonathan, Matthew, Derek, Chas, Brendan and Dee Dee; adoring great-grandfather to Chloe, Cierra, and Simon; and loyal brother to Arthur Domike, Jr.

Donald Allen Domike passed away on January 14th, 2017 at home with his children Susan and David. Donald was much loved and happy in his senior years. Donald will forever be in the hearts of his children, grandchildren, great children, his brother Arthur A. Domike, his nieces & nephews and his family and friends.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Lagen and their son, Andrew Domike. Funeral Services are scheduled for Wednesday, February 8th 2017 at 11:45 noon at Riverside National Cemetery. Address is 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518 and phone number is (951) 653-8417. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 4th, 2017,12:00 noon at The Embassy Suites by Hilton. Address is 39375 5th St. West, Palmdale, California, 93551 and phone number is (661) 266-3756.