Father Dominick Mammarella, 95, of Berwick, died Friday, May 8, 2020 at the Berwick Retirement Village, II.
Born Oct. 17, 1924, in Mahanoy City, Pa., he was the son of the late Nicholas and Lucy (Cataldi) Mammarella, both immigrants from Italy. One of eight children, Dominick was reared in the depths of the Great Depression in our country.
On the day after his graduation from Mahanoy City High School in 1942, Father Mammarella made his way to Baltimore, where he found work in an airplane factory assembling wings for B-26 Bombers. In 1943, when the world was deeply engrossed in war, he joined the Army Air Force, where he completed his training as radio-operator gunner on a B-24 Bomber. In northern Italy and throughout southern Europe, he and his crew completed 30 combat missions, a complete tour of duty. He was awarded the Distinguished Air Medal three times, along with other medals of valor.
After World War II ended, upon discharge from the service, he began his seminary training at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., on Oct. 12, 1945. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Harrisburg on May 30, 1953, by Bishop George Leech.
Father Mammarella has served in the following pastoral assignments: St. Joan of Arc, Hershey; Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Harrisburg; Bishop McDevitt High School, Harrisburg; St. Joseph, Berwick; Holy Family, Harrisburg; St. Joseph, Shamokin; Corpus Christi, Chambersburg; and most recently, returning to St. Joseph’s in Berwick from 1977 until his retirement in 2000.
During his tenure at St. Joseph’s Church in Berwick, he was instrumental in expanding the church grounds and parking lot, acquiring the pipe/electronic organ, and renovating the church with many essential improvements such as air conditioning, new heating systems, and handicapped accessibility. With extensive landscaping of the church grounds, including the Assumption Fountain, the Unborn Shrine, the Rosary Walk, the Holy Family Shrine, the Stations of the Cross with the Burial Chapel, and the Resurrection statue, Father Mammarella helped to create an atmosphere of peace and prayerful reflection. During the Christmas season, his annual outstanding religious display attracted thousands of people yearly, a striking reminder of the genuine religious meaning of Christmas.
He also touched the community at large through his active ecumenism with all churches and faiths. For many years he served on the local Salvation Army Board, Beyond Violence Board for abused women and children, and was one of the original founders of the Berwick Area Ministerium. He instituted a monthly “Love of Neighbor” collection that is used to serve the needy of the Berwick area. Father Mammarella was recognized as the Distinguished Citizen of the Year for the Columbia Montour Boy Scouts as well as Citizen of the Year for the Berwick Chamber of Commerce.
Preceding him in death were his three siblings: Emma DeAngelo, George “Itsy” Mammarella, and Nicholas “Itsy” Mammarella, Jr.
Surviving are his four sisters: Theresa Kistler of Harrisburg, Pa., Virginia Martin of Mahanoy City, Pa., Gerry Scully and brother-in-law Jack Scully of Mahanoy City, Pa., and Dolores “Lorri” Murtin of New Jersey; 12 nephews, and 12 nieces.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated when conditions become appropriate. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Mahanoy City, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 721 Monroe Street, Berwick, Pa., 18603.
