RIP Nick Bontempi

November 4, 2018

BONTEMPI, Dominic Robert, 88, died 27th October 2018 peacefully at his home in Tucson, Arizona, after a brave battle with leukemia. "Nick", along with his twin brother Paul (who still resides in AZ), were born to Italian immigrants Vincenzo and Fortunata, who came to this country in search of a better life and settled in Cleveland, Ohio. There they raised Nick and Paul, along with their three older sisters, Theresa, Mary and Fern, all of whom predeceased them. Nick graduated Garfield Heights High School in 1937 and, at age 17, enlisted in the Marines, where he served with his brother for three years and forged many friendships which he maintained throughout his life. He was an expert with a .45 pistol and served briefly as a firearms instructor. Following the service, Nick embarked on a series of adventures, including uranium mining, boxing (Golden Glove), hairdressing, drafting and aerospace engineering. Nick also, along with brother Paul, studied acting and appeared in an episode of Steve McQueen's 'Wanted Dead or Alive' (Hero in the Dust, 1961) and an episode of 'The Red Skeleton Show', as well as two motion pictures, 'The Magic Sword' (1962) with Basil Rathbone, and 'Captain Newman, MD'. Nick studied hairdressing with the Cusenzas in Hollywood at the Sebastian School, and later joined Rocketdyne Corporation as a draftsman, where he worked on components of the Apollo missions, and was soon promoted to engineer. He then joined Hughes Aircraft, where he worked on several ballistics projects, including the AIM-54 Phoenix and the AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. He retired from Hughes, becoming an avid golfer, a member of the Tucson East Elks, and friend to many canine companions, most recently Baby, who was always at his side. If one's life can be measured by how they are remembered, Nick had a full, fun and loving life and will be very missed. Nick is predeceased by his parents and sisters and his ex-wife, Jerrolyn Bontempi (Dolson) and survived by his brother, Paul; his children, Paul Lonardo (Judy), Dominique McLaughlin, Sarah Bontempi (George), Dr. Lisa Marie York and Chris Bontempi (Kristin), along with 11 grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews. In lieu of a memorial service, as was his wishes, we are asking that donations be made to Nick's favorite charity, D.E.L.T.A. rescue, P.O. Box 9, Glendale, CA 91209. Arrangements by FUNERARIA DEL ANGEL

Born: 1/10/1930, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.

Died: 10/27/2018, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A.

Wanted Dead or Alive (TV) – 1961 (Harry Weaver)