Dominic Joseph Farina

Dominic Joseph Farina, 100 years young, of New Buffalo passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 31, 2017. Arrangements have been entrusted to Sommerfeld Chapel, 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo, MI. Dominic was born on May 1, 1917 in Chicago, IL to the late John and Mary (Silvestor) Farina. Dominic started working at his father’s barber shop in New Buffalo. He started out shining shoes and tidying up. When he was 7 he joined his brothers as one of the youngest licensed barbers in the country. His education included a degree in Education from Western MI University in 1939 and a Law degree from Valparaiso Law School in 1942. Dominic served his country as a commissioned officer with the U.S. Army Medical Administrative Corps during WWII. He made 12 ocean crossings and earned several medals, including the American Theater Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. In 2013 Dominic departed on Honor Flight Chicago’s day of honor, a flight from Chicago’s Midway Airport to Washington D.C. and back, to see the WWII Memorial – “It was an amazing day,” he recalled. Dominic was on leave from the U.S. Army when on Jan. 6, 1945 he married Adelaide Martinal. They settled in New Buffalo where he was a high school teacher and started his law practice. At New Buffalo High School he taught everything from history to social studies and also served as principal from 1947 to 1948. In 1947 the Farina’s purchased the New Buffalo Savings & Loan Building. Perhaps his greatest contribution to the New Buffalo community came from his service to the savings bank as a board of director. Countless people now own homes and businesses because of Farina’s efforts and commitments to New Buffalo and surrounding communities. He began his law practice in 1954 and developed a distinguished legal career lasting 55 years. Dominic was honored by the Berrien County Bar Association and received the 2011 Frances A. ‘Mike’ Jones Memorial Community Service Award for Outstanding Service to the Community and the Berrien County Bar Association. For all the changes and evolution during his careers, Dominic’s friendly demeanor and love for his work remained constant for his self-described “plain little old country lawyer.” He will be greatly missed by many. Dominic is survived by his wife of nearly 73 years – Adelaide; his children – Richard (Susan) Farina of Centreville, VA, Mary Ann (Bill) Vanderbrook of New Buffalo, Ronald Farina of New Buffalo, and Paul (Anna) Farina of Cincinnati, OH; six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, infant twin brothers and brothers – Joseph and Russell, and sister – Mary Calnin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, Jan. 5, 12 noon (EST), at St. Mary of the Lake Church in New Buffalo, with Father John Peter Ambrose officiating. Family will receive friends at the church from 10:30am (EST) until time of service. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in New Buffalo. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made to St. Mary’s Church. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.sommerfeldchapel.com