Dominic J. Tocco Jr. 1947-2025

He was born Oct. 8, 1947, in Brier Hill, to Dominico “Dixie” Tocco and Antoinette Naples Tocco. He attended Hayes Junior High School, Rayen and Wilson high schools. Dominic received his formal education in labor relations and business administration at Youngstown State University.

As a boy, he was raised working at Buttitta Market, his father’s Italian grocery store in downtown Youngstown. He also worked for Youngstown United Music in Campbell, his uncle’s vending company. His family opened Dixie’s Garden Emporium in the 1960s and continued to operate through the mid-1980s.

Dominic served his country during the Vietnam War, completing a 14-month tour and returning with numerous commendations. As a seventh-degree black belt in martial arts, he also trained Special Forces units in hand-to-hand combat and survival techniques.

Upon his discharge, he began his career with the Teamsters Union, advancing to a president’s position with numerous local, state, and international titles. He was on the executive boards of the Ohio Conference of Teamsters and Teamsters Joint Council #41. He also worked for Jimmy Hoffa in Washington, D.C. Additionally, Dominic was involved in numerous Teamsters’ charities and scholarship funds. He served as vice president of the “United Labor Agency” and “Jobs for Justice Commission,” working to rehabilitate and retrain displaced workers into new careers. As a labor leader, he was inducted into the National Register’s Who’s Who in Executives and Businesses.

Dominic was recognized as one of the most popular entertainers in our area. He was selected as the Reader’s Choice Award’s Entertainer of the Year numerous times, Brier Hill’s “Man of the Year” and received the Youngstown Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Tribute. He had one of the longest musical careers in the area, entertaining fans since 1963.

Dominic leaves his wife, Maria Annette, of 53 years; two sons, Dominic III (Allicyn) of Poland and Giovanni (Emily) of Tega Cay, South Carolina; three grandsons, Dominico, Gianni and Roman; two granddaughters, Delila and Liliana; a sister, Delores (Ed) Tekieli of Kent; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center – especially Dr. Tamara Sussman, M.D., and Dr. Neil Woody, M.D., for their years of compassionate support throughout Dominic’s cancer journey – along with the late Dr. Alex Vrable, D.O., for his friendship and all he did for the family over the past 40 years.

Calling hours for family and close friends will be 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, at Rossi Brothers and Lellio Funeral Home, 4442 South Ave., Boardman, OH 44512.

Family and friends are encouraged to offer prayers for the family by visiting the Book of Memories at ww.rossifunerals.com.

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