Dominick Bologna, 79, formally of New City, and Queensbury, New York, and most recently of Armonk, NY, passed away on Thursday, August 27.
Bologna was born in the Bronx, NY and grew up in the Arthur Avenue area. He graduated from Manhattan Needle Trade High School. In 1955, he joined the Army and served in the United States and Korea until 1958. After being discharged, he joined the New York Police Department where he worked for 20 years. Bologna worked as a detective in the 4th Homicide Squad and Major Crime Task Force for 12 of those 20 years. While he was a member of the NYPD, Bologna attended Rockland Community College where he received an Associates Degree and then St. Thomas Aquinas College where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1975.
In 1982, Bologna retired from the NYPD and went to work for the New York State Racing Board as an investigator. During the time that he worked for the board, he was asked to develop and initiate a drug testing and substance abuse program which is still in effect in New York State. He retired in October 2006. Bologna always tempered his work with licensees who had substance abuse problems with humanity, knowing that at times its frailties. He helped many people return from their demons knowing that the path for many of those he helped travelled through expected relapses. Dominick never lost faith in the human spirit to overcome even when those he was trying to help concocted some real good stories to avoid their own self-inflicted problems. He was indeed a good man himself and many in racing owe their second and third chances to his compassion.
Dominick was predeceased by his parents Olympia and Harry Bologna. He is survived by his wife, Catherine, of 56 years and his daughters, Carol Ierace (Bob) of Valhalla, NY and Donna Cooke (Derry) of Queensbury, NY and three grandchildren, Taylor Cooke, Robert Ierace and Alexandra Cooke who were his pride and joy. He is also survived by his siblings, Nancy Capozzi (Ralph – deceased) of Yonkers, NY, Harry Bologna of Largo, Florida, Linda Ferri (Albert) of New Hyde Park, NY and Michael Bologna (Josephine) from Berthiob, Colorado. He also leaves behind his in-laws, many nieces and nephews and close friends that he considered family. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Alzheimer's Association or charity of choice
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