Home -> Surnames -> Dominick Lauricella -> Notes
My father came to America approximately 1906 and arrived to be welcomed by his oldest brother Felice (Felix) Lauricella. As was the law in those days all immigrants had to be sponsered by a relative. He did not attend any American school to my knowledge and therefore learned through experience. During his youth he worked in Felix's market located in New York, together with other brothers.
He was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1917 in the artillery branch and also served as a cook. After being discharged he and most of the family moved to Los Angeles (some of the family moved from Australia). He met his future wife, Gladys, in Los Angeles and were married in 1921 - she was originally from Boston, Massachusetts.
After settling down he continued to work in the market with his family. The market was located on Whitter Blvd in East Los Angeles. After Felix's death he started his own market named the 'Metropolitan', a small mom-pop store. All my brothers as well as my mother worked in the family market until all 4 of us were called to serve in WWII. Vic in Army transportation, Ed in military police, Ray in the Navy and me in the Air Force.
Dad was very active in the Masonic Order and reached the 32 Degree, or Shrine. I can still remember him going to Shrine Conventions, wearing his red Fez hat, I still have it in my closet and used it when I joined the Shrine. He also had the four of us join the American Legion and we were very proud to have our picture in the newspaper. Also all my brothers and myself were raised to the 32 Degree on the same day (9:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.). This too was the first time it ever happened in California.
Dad was a loving and giving person and my brothers and I worshipped the ground he walked on. He was firm when the situation demanded, but only when we deserved it. I still remember the razor strap he used on us when we needed it. Although we were not angels and were disciplined often, I cannot recall anytime in which we were ever bitter from our spankings, only mad that we got caught.
I remember one occasion when he and a couple brother Shriners locked the local 'Judge' and 'Justice of the Peace' in his own jail and didn't let him out until morning- of course he also was a Shriner.
I could have not been blessed with a finer father and as I grew I only loved him and appreciated him more. I do not believe he was ever very far from us when we needed him. Although he was the youngest of the brothers, he was always considered to be the (GodFather) and the family consistently came to him when they were in need. As a man he was always giving, a great American with love of God, and loyalty to the needs of his family. I'm looking forward to uniting with him when the Lord calls me home.
All I can say Clint is that he was my best friend and my love for him cannot be measured. They don't make anymore like him.