Latrobe man joined brothers in serving country
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Victor P. Pierdominici of Latrobe wanted to join his two older brothers, Richard and Louis, who were fighting in World War II, but he did not want to join the Army.
He said, “I’d rather be in the Navy,” according to his daughter, Vicki Weimer of Latrobe.
Surprisingly, he got his wish, and that’s how Mr. Pierdominici joined the Navy, Weimer said.
Mr. Pierdominici, 92, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, at Excela Health Latrobe Hospital.
He was born Aug. 2, 1927, in Latrobe, a son of the late Luigi and Antonina DeFelice Pierdominici.
While stationed at the Philadelphia Naval Yard, he played baseball in the Navy League. He was in the stands watching a game one day when he was asked to play shortstop. Although he played in the outfield, he told a little lie about his experience at shortstop, which was nonexistent. He made a couple of double plays and scored the winning run.
Mr. Pierdominici returned home to Latrobe and was working for Kennametal Corp. in Latrobe until the Navy recalled him to active duty when the Korean War broke out in June 1950. He was stationed in San Diego during the war, Weimer said.
Weimer said her parents met through her father’s sister, who was friends with Fay Himler, one of seven girls from Derry. The couple married in January 1952, Weimer said. He called his wife one of the “Seven Sisters” and told others that “if you marry one, you marry them all.”
When he returned home from the Korean War, he resumed his job at Kennametal Inc., where he worked for 42 years before retiring.
Although Mr. Pierdominici had some offers to try out for the New York Yankees and one of the Philadelphia teams, Weimer said her dad had a good job at Kennametal and did not want to leave.
He also played semi-pro football for the “Zimbos” in Latrobe, Weimer said.
Mr. Pierdominici was a member and past president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Latrobe Aerie 01188.
At age 89, Weimer said her father was still playing golf, and they would play a round and share a lunch.
“That was some of the greatest memories I had of him,” Weimer said. “He was a really good husband, good dad and good grandfather. He never missed anything his grandchildren were doing.”
He is survived by his wife, Fay Himler Pierdominici; his daughter, Vicki Weimer; three grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.
Friends were received at the Hartman-Graziano Funeral Home Inc., 1500 Ligonier St., Latrobe, where funeral services were held Saturday in the funeral home chapel. Private interment was in Unity Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org, or to the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org.