Dominic (Papa)

CANFIELD - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday at St. Christine Church for Dominic Joseph "Papa" Bettura, 90, who died Wednesday morning at Hospice House.

Dominic was born June 9, 1926, in Youngstown, a son of the late Samuel and Niccola Chieffo Bettura, and was a lifelong area resident.

Dominic attended The Rayen School and he proudly served in the U.S. Navy in Guam between 1944 and 1946. Dominic served in the Youngstown Police Department as a patrolman and retired in 1985, at the rank of detective.

Dominic married Phyllis (Margiotta) Bettura on June 9, 1956, and they shared 56 years together before her passing on March 12, 2012. Dominic and Phyllis were longtime members of St. Christine Church.

Dominic was an avid golfer and continued to maintain friendships with his golfing buddies who participated in a 90th birthday celebration this past June. He was affectionately nicknamed "Naggers," and people who knew Dominic well will completely understand!

Dominic enjoyed Saturday morning breakfasts at Davidson's Restaurant with the retired policemen, and every Tuesday and Friday, you could find him in the company of his friends at Marzano's Cut & Style enjoying lunch. Donnie Marzano visited Dominic for a haircut when he was in rehab at Briarfield Manor, which he much appreciated.

Dominic is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Joseph D. and Sharon Bettura of Canfield; his sister-in-law, Sylvia Evans of Canfield; his brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Stefania Bettura of Girard; his sister-in-law, Norma Bettura of Canfield; Janice Canacci of Austintown, who was like a sister-in-law to him; his niece, Patty Schrieber of Florida; and many nieces and nephews from the Margiotta family.

Perspective of a daughter-in-law and grandchildren, Dominic lived a life of service. He served his country in the U.S. Navy, he served his community in the police force and shortly after retirement, he became a grandfather upon which he started a new life path of service.

Dominic's three grandchildren are Joseph, Joelle and Jared. Dominic and they have a heart full of memories of their Papa. Their Papa did not deny them anything, especially his gift of time. He attended every event that they participated in through the years. Everyone recognized Papa, because he was a fixture of support. It wasn't a question of if Papa was coming to the event, it was "what time will Papa be here?"

"Special memories I have of each of them include, Joseph, 'Joey B.,' as Papa would call him, first born grandchild. Even though Joseph was born with Down syndrome, that was never mentioned once by either Grandma or Papa. It did not matter. Joseph was the king and he loved that Papa would pick him up and drive him over to their house because he had a special tray upon which he was allowed to have food on the carpet and watch his favorite TV shows. He didn't have to say a word, just hold up the tray and Papa took it in the kitchen to refill the snack.

Joelle, the first and only granddaughter, was born on Papa's birthday. When Joelle said she wanted to do something, Papa's response was 'you are the boss,' and he was right. "When Joelle was 5 years old, Papa pulled into our house and I was confused because we hadn't made any plans. Papa came to the door and said that he was there to pick Joelle up because she wanted to bake with Grandma. I was still confused because I did not make the call. Joelle appeared and said that she called Papa and made the plans. I was amazed at the fact that Joelle used the phone and made the plans on her own and I was even more amazed that Papa followed her directions without speaking with an adult. He was right, Joelle was the boss and he was wise because he obviously figured that out pretty quick.

Jared, was Dominic's youngest grandchild and namesake. By the time you reach child number three, as a parent, you have loosened your reins about control and parenthood. As a result, Papa spent lots of time with Jared. Papa called him Jared Dominic and we did the same because we knew that Papa loved to hear his name aloud. Grandma and Papa's house was very organized and everything had its place. One day, when I had stopped to pick Jared up from their house, the family room was completely under the control of probably 200 miniature green army figures which Jared would choose each time he went to Big Lots with Papa under the guise of "just looking." While that was a surprising sight to see, these army men all neatly lined up across the fireplace and on the furniture, what was even more surprising was when Jared told Papa not to touch them until he came back tomorrow and Papa promised him they would be left in place. And they were!

When you join a family as the daughter-in-law of an only child, it is a unique role as you become the daughter. The 'in-law' part fades away. While Dominic was a very stubborn guy who liked to be in charge, he did allow decisions to be made in his best interest because deep down he knew they were made with love. His gift to me was trusting me to be the person holding his hand when he decided to move along his journey to be with Phyllis."

Family and friends may call today from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, material tributes may take the form of donations to Hospice House, 9803 Sharrott Road, Poland, OH 44514, or The Walnut Grove, P.O. Box 674, Canfield, OH 44406.

Dominic's family extends a warm thank you to the staff at Briarfield Manor who cared for him since Oct. 17, 2016.

In his final days at Hospice House, Dominic received exceptional care and compassion from staff as well as volunteers, and his family will be forever grateful.