DODARO, Louis John

Louis John Dodaro, 88 years old of Boca Raton, FL, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 9, 2013, surrounded by his family who loved him dearly. Louis was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1925 and grew up in Maspeth, NY. In 1943, he was drafted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Radioman 3rd Class Petty Officer on the U.S.S. Franklin CV13 in World War II. He was very proud to have served his country. Louis joined the New York City Police Department on October 3, 1951. On graduation day, he was assigned to the Organized Crime Unit in the Brooklyn D.A.’s office on a temporary assignment. Assigned to the 92nd Precinct for payroll purposes. He played fast pitch softball for the 92nd and only lost one game in three years. Played any precinct that challenged them from the Bronx to Staten Island. This temporary assignment lasted 21 years and he retired in 1972. As a child, he loved the clouds and sky. He always had a love for flying and got his pilots license in 1958. Married Jean Amato in 1954 and they were married for 57 years. He relocated his family to Boca Raton, FL in 1972. When he moved to Florida, he became an avid golfer. He enjoyed playing golf with the many friends he made. During the ’70’s, he went to work for U.S. Customs in Port Everglades for a few years. He also helped a friend/neighbor when he opened The Red Devil Restaurant as a cook. Spent a lot of time taking care of his granddaughters. He is survived by his sister, Gloria Santacroce, three children, Kenneth, Theresa Snyder, Nancy (Mike) Adams, his three cherished granddaughters, Jeanette, Michelle and Jessica and his adored great-grandson, Jacoby. He is preceded in death by his wife, Jean and his great-grandson, Jalen. Papa will be forever in our hearts. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Attention: Jalen’s Team, 3230 Commerce Place, Ste. B, West Palm Beach, FL 33407. A remembrance ceremony will be held at 10:00AM, Saturday, August 17, 2013, at the Palm Beach National Chapel, 10055 Heritage Farms Road, Lake Worth, FL. Interment will follow at the South Florida Veterans Cemetery in Lake Worth on Monday, August 19, 2013 at 2:45PM.

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Published in The Palm Beach Post from Aug. 11 to Aug. 12, 2013.