Members of the Hanover Highway Department pitched in to remember Tim Domenico after his passing. Photos by Natasha Matteliano

HANOVER — Timothy Domenico will always be remembered in the town of Hanover.

Family members, the Hanover Town Board, the highway department, and members of the water and sewer departments gathered Sept. 29 at the highway building in Hanover to dedicate the property in his name. According to Todd Johnson, Hanover Town Supervisor, Domenico was a “legacy” in the town.

Domenico was an employee of the Hanover Highway Department for 25 years. He began his career in 1994, where he was a motor equipment operator until 2007, when he was appointed to the position of deputy highway supervisor. He continued his dedicated hard work until his death in March 2019, a little less than a year from his planned retirement in January of 2020.

“Everybody loved him. He was the go-to guy. When you had a question, you went to Tim,” Johnson said. “Tim was a legacy here. His leadership and ability to get the job done each and every single day was amazing. He always figured out a way to get the job done.”

Peter Pelletter, town highway supervisor, spoke fondly of Domenico.

“He was such a good guy. He was always willing to help with things that everybody needed,” Pelletter said. “We were also friends outside of work. There were lots of things that he always helped me out with and came over to my house. He taught me and all of us a lot of stuff. It’s really unfortunate that he didn’t make it to his retirement.”

To express their appreciation and love for Timothy Domenico, the highway department decided to throw a retirement party for him in February 2020, after he was supposed to retire.

The family, all of his co-workers, and the town board was invited to the party.

Additionally, the group decided to dedicate the highway department building in his name.

A special plaque was unveiled at the dedication by his daughter Melody Domenico Voigt, his son Jason Domenico, and his wife Sylvia Domenico. The plaque, along with a picture of Domenico, has words engraved on it that were written by the current deputy highway superintendent, Brandyn Griewisch.

“Tim was the backbone of numerous jobs and always willing to lend a hand or offer his endless knowledge,” Griewisch wrote. “Tim’s greatest joy was spending time with his loving family. Tim was a dedicated man and will be greatly missed by his family, fellow coworkers, and the community. Thank you, Tim Domenico.”

Domenico’s daughter, Melody, spoke with the OBSERVER in an interview after the dedication. She explained that she is appreciative of all the things the town has done for her father and his memory.

“It was so special and meaningful that they threw a retirement party and dedicated the building to him,” she said. “My dad meant so much to them. They are truly amazing. They’ve helped us with anything we need. I am a daddy’s girl and now that he’s gone, things are tough sometimes. My dad would drop anything at any time to help them and now they are doing the same for me. They mean so much to me and I’ll never forget what they’ve done for us.”

Johnson, when dedicating the building in his honor, said, “Tim will be with all of us forever.”