Dominick P. Stirpe

Dominick P. Stirpe, 65, of East Greenwich, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 25, 2026 in the comfort of his home with his wife at his side. Born October 29, 1960, in Lyons, New York, he was the son of Donna M. (Cole) and the late Peter S. Stirpe. He was the beloved husband of Denise I. (Isabelle) Stirpe for 42 years. 

Dominick’s career in tech development spanned more than four decades, including major tenures at IBM and America Online. He was on the cutting edge of introducing the Internet to the world at large and helped change the way we connect with each other through programs like AOL Instant Messenger. But above all, Dominick’s proudest accomplishment was the life and family he created with Denise.

Dominick and Denise were inseparable from the moment their relationship began in 1980 at the University of Rochester, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. They got married in the summer of 1983, kicking off an incredible journey that would see them moving across numerous states before finally settling in Rhode Island with their three children. Together they were an unstoppable team that trusted and were completely devoted to one another.

To know Dominick was to know a man who laughed loudly, loved deeply, and always sought to make the world a better place. To be within the million-watt spotlight of his attention was to feel that no problem was too big to solve and that no frustration was too small to care about. Whether it was helping one of his kids with (yet another) interstate move or giving wedding advice to a complete stranger on a train, he moved through life forever asking “what can I do to help?”

Dominick was a devoted sports fan his entire life. He loved the Baltimore Orioles (even attending Cal Ripken, Jr.'s record-breaking Iron Man game in 1995), and cheered on the Buffalo Bills every season (Go Bills!). He was an avid and constant reader, particularly history and biographies. And even though he would always remind people that he couldn’t dance in front of others “because God gave him an unfair advantage,” he loved singing and music of all kinds.

Imagining a world without Dominick is a difficult task. Everywhere he went and everyone he knew was shaped by him in ways both big and small. Right now those marks he left behind are wounds; painful reminders that he’s gone even as the world keeps spinning. Every appliance he fixed, every thoughtful gift he found, every movie he used to quote verbatim… they will all be landmines waiting to rip those wounds open again. 

But in time those wounds will heal. Even though saying goodbye right now seems impossible, his influence will continue living on through the people who are still here. Because to have known and loved Dominick was to be inspired to try and be more like him. To laugh. To love. And to always look at the world asking “what can I do to help?”

Besides his wife Denise, Dominick leaves behind his three dear children; Eric Stirpe and his wife Molly, Luke Stirpe, and Cassandre “Cassie” Stirpe. He also leaves behind his treasured grandson Miles Stirpe Maloney. He is survived by his mother, his brothers Ron and Dan, and numerous nieces and nephews.

On behalf of the Stirpe family an announcement will be made inviting those who knew and loved Dominick to come together and celebrate his life at a later date. Thank you for your support and kindness during this time.

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