Dominic F. Ciafardini

Dominic F. Ciafardini passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 18, 2024 at his home in West Chester Township, Ohio. He was born to Dominic J. and Mary M. Ciafardini on December 28, 1946 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He grew up in the Over the Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati in a vibrant and loving Italian and German community. In 1966, Dominic graduated from Purcell High School in East Walnut Hills. During his high school years, he formed incredible friendships that maintained him throughout his life, including with Father Clarence Rivers, Tom Beck, Fred McGee, Mike Crone Thomas Hornbach, Gary Schrand and Jerry Rape. At Purcell, he also found his love of theatre and was involved in the Purcell High School Queen’s Men, the high school’s thespian society. After high school, he attended the Ohio College of Applied Sciences.

In 1967, Dominic enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve where he proudly served for six years, rising through the ranks to achieve the position of Staff Sergeant. Many of his foundational experiences came from the Marine Corps, including his relentless perseverance and can-do attitude.

Dominic was a life-long entrepreneur, identifying unique business opportunities where he could add value through innovation and creativity. Whether developing life-saving intravenous fluid delivery systems in the medical industry or delighting families making a home meal with his spice and marinades products, he was always thinking of ways to improve the lives of his clients and their customers.

His passion for improving lives extended to employing many people over his lifetime, especially giving those experiencing hard times a hand-up with chance to work. Raised in challenging circumstances himself, Dominic always looked for ways to provide opportunities to those in need as many did for him over his life.

Just like his upbringing by a family of Italian immigrants, Dominic’s business endeavors were a family affair, which included working with his loving wife Joyce, his daughter Andrea, his son Andrew, his mother, sister and other family members over time. From Medical Matrix to Alimento Ventures, his businesses were not just a workplace but a community of friends and family.

While making a tremendous impact in his business endeavors, Dominic talked most about his legacy being his family. He cherished them and was most proud of their many accomplishments, including his daughter’s own entrepreneurship and his son’s service in government. Carrying on the Ciafardini name and the family’s Italian traditions were most important to him. He instilled this throughout his life as a loving and generous husband, father and grandfather. The Ciafardini name proudly continues with his son, daughter and three grandsons.

As a lifelong member of the Roman Catholic Church and a believer in Jesus Christ, Dominic had a beautiful relationship with the Lord, which sustained him through many challenges and provided him joy and peace throughout his life.

He is survived by his wife Joyce Ciafardini (nee Heinzelman); and his children, Andrew Dominic Ciafardini (Beth) and Andrea Marie Ciafardini (Charlie) and stepdaughters Angie Sexton (Rick) and Andi Conn (Wayne). He is cherished and remembered by his three grandchildren, William Dominic Ciafardini, John “Jack” Andrew Ciafardini and Henry Thomas Ciafardini as well as his many step-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Roseanne Schomaker (nee Ciafardini) and her husband Stanley Schomaker as well as loving nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by his former spouse Janet Ciafardini-Osterbrock, the mother of his children Andrew and Andrea. Dominic was preceded in death by his caring sister Josephine Helbling (nee Ciafardini) and sister Rosemarie Jean Ciafardini.

A Visitation and Memorial Service will be held March 23, 2024 at Gilligan Funeral Home in Kenwood, located at 8225 Montgomery Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45236. The Visitation will run from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, and a Memorial Service will begin at 11:00 am. Burial will immediately follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 11000 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati OH.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ECAN) at https://ecan.org or the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program at https://www.toysfortots.org.

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