Domenic S. DeNardo

Domenic S. DeNardo, age 95, of Cranston, RI passed away peacefully on May 1st surrounded by his family. He was born December 29, 1929 in Providence RI, and was the son of the late Concetta and Joseph DeNardo. He was preceded in death by his brother, John. Domenic is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn; his children and their spouses, Kenneth DeNardo (Catherine), Stephen DeNardo (Bethany), and Laraine Coffey (Dennis); five grandchildren and their spouses, Bethany Napolillo (Steven), Bradley DeNardo (Liza Aguiar), Brianne Mahoney (Steven), Nicholas DeNardo (Lauren Cabral), and Katerina DeNardo, and five great grandchildren, Drew, Avery, Lucas, Carson and Hallie.

Domenic met his true love, Marilyn, when they were students at Nathanael Greene Junior High School, and they married in 1953. Their life together was rooted in a deep, unwavering love, and they were inseparable throughout their 72 years of marriage. Together, they enjoyed spending as much time as possible with family, hosting legendary family gatherings, sharing laughter around the table, and retreating to their beloved summer home on Nantucket. Family was the center of Domenic’s world. He was a devoted father, and he made it his mission to always be there for his children. His quiet strength, patience, and steadfast presence guided them through every stage of life. As a grandfather, he showered his grandchildren with the same gentle, loving affection that had always defined him.

Domenic was captivated by aviation from a young age. He often recalled, with vivid clarity, standing outside his childhood home on Federal Hill at the age of eight to watch the Hindenburg airship fly over Rhode Island - just hours before its tragic accident. A year later, he took his first,of what would become innumerable flights, riding in a Ford Trimotor airplane. These early experiences inspired a lifelong dedication to aviation and flight. 

As he grew older, Domenic’s passion for aviation only deepened. In his early 30’s, he earned his private pilot certificate and soon purchased the first of five airplanes that he would come to own and fly for decades, until the age of 90. He and his wife relished loading their children into the back of their airplane and heading off on flying adventures throughout the continental United States, Alaska, Canada, and the Bahamas. In 1995, in his A36 Bonanza, Domenic was one of the leaders of a record breaking formation flight of 132 Beechcraft airplanes from Rockford, Illinois to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Subsequently, this one hour flight was recorded by the National Aeronautics Association of Washington D.C. and the Federation Aeronautique Internationale as the largest general aviation formation flight in history. In 2009, he was inducted into the Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame.

Domenic was an accomplished businessman. Though largely self- taught, he received formal art training at the RI School of Design and studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Rhode Island. After working for several manufacturing companies, he followed his heart and opened his own commercial art studio in 1956, dedicating the next 40 years to a successful career in art. In 1992 Domenic proudly accepted the Bob Stacy Craftperson Award for artistic excellence and dedication from the Advertising Club of Greater Boston.

Throughout his life, he was a passionate aviation artist, known for his realistic and historically accurate portrayals of flight and aerial history. Domenic’s paintings have been featured in notable publications such as Time, the Wall Street Journal, Aviation Week & Space Technology, and Business & Commercial Aviation. His paintings have been selected for exhibition and awards by the Experimental Aircraft Association, New England Air Museum, Providence Art Club, and the American Society of Aviation Artists. In addition, he won a “Best in Show” award from Aviation and Space Technology, a major industry publication, and a special award from the Canada Aviation Museum. He was an active member of the Providence Art Club, the Quiet BirdmenSociety and the American Society of Aviation Artists. In recognition of both his distinguished safety record as a pilot and his artistic contributions to the field of aviation, Domenic was awarded The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, a rare lifetime achievement honor by the Federal Aviation Administration. Three of his paintings are on permanent display at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, a lasting tribute to his legacy in both aviation and the arts.

Domenic was a remarkably intelligent, articulate, and gifted individual, remembered for his unwavering integrity and his kind, gentle spirit. Throughout his life, he approached everything he did with precision and a deep commitment to excellence. His exceptional memory brought his many stories and adventures to life, allowing him to share them in vivid detail and with heartfelt accuracy.

Domenic was truly adored by his family. He will always be remembered and celebrated for the unique and special man that he was. His legacy is carried on through his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who will always remember him as a man whose love never wavered andwhose guidance was a steady hand. He will forever be missed and held close in our hearts.

His funeral will be held at 9am Thursday, May 8, from the “WOODLAWN” Funeral Home, 600 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am at St. Mark’s Church, Cranston. Entombment will follow at Saints Peter and Paul Mausoleum at St. Ann Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 7, from 5pm until 7pm in the “WOODLAWN” Funeral Home. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

Please share memories and condolences at www.WoodlawnRI.com.

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