Domingo M. Fermaint Jr. Obituary (2023)

Domingo Martinez Fermaint, Jr. of Waukegan, Illinois, passed peacefully from this world on April 26th, 2023 at the age of 72 years old. Domingo was diagnosed with stage 3 Pancreatic Adeno Carcinoma, an uncurable and aggressive form of Cancer. Through his faith and positive determination, he fought the good fight through chemotherapy, giving him 8 more months to be surrounded by his loving family before gaining his wings. Domingo was born to Domingo Fermaint, Sr. and Ramona Martinez Fermaint on March 31st, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois, the first of seven brothers. He attended school in the south side of Chicago, and was then drafted into the U.S. Army. After he was discharged, Domingo met his wife Esther Salazar at a relative’s birthday party in 1973, and they married July 27th, 1974 in Waukegan, Illinois. Domingo went on to work as a welder for Fansteel Inc. in North Chicago for 10 years before transitioning to Ryder Student Transportation Services and Durham School Services, where he was happily transporting the district’s school children for the past 30 years. He was an avid Bowler, frequenting the local leagues and even won a 2004-2005 Championship, with his name celebrated on the wall at Sunset Bowl in Waukegan, Illinois. Golf, Fishing, and photographing anything interesting and beautiful to his eye also brought him joy. Sometimes, if you heard a ruckus from inside his home, it was most likely attributed to his enthusiastic vocal support of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Black Hawks. He was a man of great faith, being a long-time member of the Most Blessed Trinity Parish in Waukegan, Il. He served his community as Usher, Assistant Deacon, and Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion during Eucharist, as well as being a member of the Knights of Columbus. His musical career began in a trio with his brothers, playing gigs all over the south side of Chicago. He most naturally gravitated towards worshiping his Lord with drums, percussion, and his Puerto Rican guiro (a tribute to his father’s Caribbean homeland) in the local parish bands. Domingo is preceded in death by his parents Domingo Fermaint, Sr., Ramona Martinez Fermaint Barreto, step- father Luis Barreto, brother Dennis Fermaint, sister Diana Fermaint, and niece Valerie Fermaint. Domingo has left behind his wife of 49 years, Esther Salazar Fermaint, daughters Diana (Mario) Rojas, and Maribel (Ezequiel) Garcia, grandchildren Mario and Jonathan Rojas, Fernando and Ashley Reyes, and EJ Garcia, along with brothers David (Karen) Fermaint, Derwin Fermaint, Damon (Jennifer) Fermaint, Daniel (Jennifer) Fermaint, and Marcos (Monica) Barreto. A visitation is scheduled for Sunday, May 7th, 2023 from 12pm-3pm in the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home on 1521 Washington Street, Waukegan, Il, 60085. Mass service will be held on Monday, May 8th at 11am at St. Anastasia Church - Little Flower Parish, 624 Douglas Avenue, Waukegan, Il, 60085, with Pastor Giovanny Navarro officiating. The family asks those who wish to express sympathy to consider a donation to help with funeral costs in lieu of flowers. You can see more at: https://gofund.me/b82caf83