Dominic Aloysius Bonfiglio, 86, of Rockland has passed away peacefully from natural causes at the West Roxbury VA Hospital on Sunday, surrounded by all those whom he loved.

Dominic was born in Belmont on January 3rd, 1932 of his parents, the late Eugenio and Giovanina (nee Giaccalone) Bonfiglio. Giovanina died shortly after his birth from complications and his father worked as a plastering laborer, so, between the ages of two and ten years old, he lived in the Home for Italian Children with his two sisters, Mary and Santina. His father visited them faithfully every week until they were old enough to come home.

Upon coming home, Dominic attended Belmont schools and graduated from Belmont High School in 1950. He was a versatile athlete in high school, participating in the basketball, football and baseball programs. Upon graduating, he began to apprentice as a plasterer, a trade that would be his lifelong career. Before too long however, he put his plastering career on hold and joined the Navy in late 1950.

While in the Navy, he served on a large seagoing tug, the USS Mosopelea, rising to the rank of Bowsuns Mate 3rd class. He traveled to several ports during his service including Cuba and Greenland. After completion of his Naval service in 1954, he continued with his plastering career. He continued to live in Belmont.

In February of 1961, he met his future wife, Barbara Matacunas, and after an 14 month whirlwind romance, he and Barbara were married on April 28, 1962 at Our Lady of the Rosary parish in Stoughton, MA.

After living in Waltham and Randolph for the first two years of marriage, they moved to Rockland in 1965, where he became involved in town activities. He joined Rockland Town League Basketball, where he would coach and referee there for over 33 years. For a number of years, championship trophy was named in his honor. Over the years he would be involved in baseball as well.

As a plasterer on the South Shore, he had an unparalleled reputation not only with customers, but with other plastering concerns, many of the owners of whom were trained and brought into trade by Dominic. His work ethic, production quality and demeanor were his trademark and he taught these to all who took up the tools with him. He stayed active in the trade for decades and even a heart attack at age 78 did not deter him. He finally retired from plastering at age 79, when he decided he could not keep up his quality and production anymore.

He had few interests outside of work, family and faith, but in those he possessed he showed remarkable acumen. He followed sports and followed the Boston's professional sports teams, always enjoying a good game and conversation about strategy and game play. He loved to play poker and played for years with friends and family. He was known to play cards for his day's pay when out of work, much to the chagrin of those he played against, for more often than not he earned it.

Primarily however, Dominic was a man of great faith. Until the last, he credited his wife as the catalyst for his faith. He was a member of Holy Family Church in Rockland for over 50 yrs and was involved in many activities including the choir, Eucharistic ministries and the Legion of Mary. He was active in the Knights of Columbus and the local chapter of Mass Citizens for Life for which he served as president. He was an attendee of daily Mass whenever the opportunity presented itself. With all that he accomplished, his humility was always out front, never wanting credit or thanks for anything, preferring to wait for his "reward in heaven". This part of his life drove all the others and created the man that was beloved by any and all who knew him.

He is survived by his beloved wife Barbara of Rockland, sister Mary Larsen of Houston, Texas, brother-in-law Ralph Matacunas of Mansfield, son Eugene and his wife Andrea Bonfiglio of Whitman, son Stefan Bonfiglio of Hyannis, son Joseph and Gloria Bicknell of Castleberry, FL, son Paul Bonfiglio of Hyannis, daughter Maria Bonfiglio of Abington, daughter Janina and her husband Glenn Wright of Rockland, son Peter Bonfiglio of Rockland, son Joseph and wife Jennifer Bonfiglio of Hanover, son David Bonfiglio of Foxborough, niece Janet Pizzi of Waltham, niece Michelle Matacunas of Florida, nephew Michael Matacunas of Virginia, nephew Eugene Larsen of Houston, TX, niece Brooke Matacunas of Boston, nephew Christopher Matacunas of Boston,15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

"Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" - Matthew 25:23

The family welcomes friends and loved ones to celebrate Dominic's life on Friday April 20, 2018 from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home, 135 Union Street Rockland, MA. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday April 21, 2018 at 9:00 AM at Holy Family Church. Burial will follow at Holy Family Cemetery.