Dear Leaders, Neighbors, Friends, and Family,
We share with profound sadness that our former Chief Executive Officer Dominick J. Brancato passed away from complications related to COVID-19 on May 21st, 2020.
Dominick served as NYCID Executive Director and then as the Chief Executive Officer from 1990 to 2020 and in his thirty years of service, he helped NYCID grow exponentially.
Dominick was a man of service always giving to his family, friends, community, and his work. He lived a life that demands notice, unwavering in his beliefs and exemplified in his honesty and trust. He inspired people to do good and spread kindness and always looked to pave the way for others to grow. He did his all without needing thanks as this was his calling. Dominick was passionate about his work and this translated to everyone he worked with.
Dominick was a doer: a long-time member of the North Shore Rotary Club; a founding member of the Black-Korean Mediation Project; a member of the City University of New York Dispute Resolution Consortium; a member of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce; a member of the I Am Staten Island Coalition; a member of the Vision for Staten Island Steering Committee; a member of the Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution; served on the Board of Managers of YMCA of Greater New York Camping Services; and served as a member of the Staten Island Borough President’s Anti-Bias Task Force.
Among many of Dominick’s achievements, he received the Louis Miller Leadership Award by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award from NYC Council Member Michael McMahon for his work in improving and strengthening diverse communities on Staten Island.
Yesterday, NYCID was set to honor Dom at our 50th Year Jubilee. He was to be the sole honoree because we could not have made it this far without him. Dominick’s legacy will live on in every action NYCID takes as an organization.
In this moment, we are sending light and love to his dear family and we will forever hold them close.
We will all miss this rare, positive, friendly, and charming man.
We love you, Dom.
Candace Gonzalez
Chief Executive Officer
From our work family to yours, on behalf of all of us over at YBSI offer our deepest condolences to you and Dominic’s family. So sad. Love and light my friends.
Dominick was a tremendous individual and leader. A kind and gentle man who truly cared about others. He will be missed by all who came into contact with him. Prayers go out to Dom’s family. May he rest in eternal peace. For all, stay safe.
Devastated. So sorry that we lost you . Such a gentle and kind individual. Thank you for choosing me to be on your team. Prayers go out.to the Nycid family. Prayers also go out.to your family. For all, stay safe.
I am so sorry to learn of Dominick’s passing. He was dedicated to ensuring the success of NYCID. Both children and adults benefited from the programs offered by NYCID. Dominick was instrumental in putting NYCID on the map.
My condolences to his family and the staff of NYCID.
Candy
I am sorrowed by the loss to SI and to humanity. Dominick will be remembered in my thoughts and in my prayers
Susan Stewart
Staten Island lost one of it’s great citizens. I had the honor and pleasure to first work together with Dominick when we were both fresh out of college and both Youth Directors at different branches of the YMCA throughout NYC. That was in 1974-1979. He was a great director and mentor to the highschool students we worked with. He later became the director of the Staten Island YMCA and continued his service to the community. His final position in NYCID was his greatest contribution to our community.
He was a gentleman and a man who could not do enough to make his community a better place. May Dom rest in Peace.
So sad. The Island has lost a person who was dedicated to improving our community through civil discourse. I knew his work through my time as a Social Worker at Curtis H.S. During the 1990’s
Thank you God for this Giant if a man you used as a light to all who crossed his path. Blessings and strength to his beautiful wife and family.
Dominick was a wonderful human being who was always smiling, enjoying a glass of wine and a cigar while taking part in great discussions.
Dominick was so kind, attentive and interested in people. He cared about connection, outcome and was always eager to create new bridges of communication and understanding.
I first met him many years ago when I was in my 20’s and working at the Broadway YMCA where he was the director and I taught art classes.
Subsequently we remained in touch becoming friendly with everyone in his family. We partnered on a couple of projects and were always glad to learn of each other’s updates. This one is utterly painful for so many.
Rest In Peace, mighty ethicist.
Dominick was a special man who was always gracious and kind. He will be missed in our neighborhood for sure. Always a smile, always positive and call a voice of reason. We will surely miss him.
Dear Mary Ann
I am so sorry to hear such sad news.
I can still see him in my mind’s eye. At the Y, So long ago. He was skinny, beard and glasses, pulling up his jeans, pushing up his glasses..
ALWAYS laughing. You were married but no kids yet. Last memory for me was at your apartment with Luann, eating and learning how to make Ratatouille .
From his FB pages, I can see that you both accomplished so much and touched so many people..
Bless you and your family.
Fran Gmelch and family❤️
Candace, thank you for this beautifully written and touching tribute to Dom. I have been truly devastated to learn of his passing and will miss him dearly. I feel so blessed that I got to know him when I worked for him from 1997-2000. My sincere condolences go out to his family.
My condolences to Dominick’s family and to his NYCID family. He was always such a welcoming and kind man. Ilene Pappert, Director, Goodhue Center
The loss of a great man is a great loss for all.
Dom, it was a unique pleasure to work with you. Your passing is a call to action for those of us left behind to honor your legacy by committing ourselves to live and act according to the principles of community, compassion, integrity and change for the better in all we do.
You will be missed.
I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I was honored to serve under Dom’s leadership as a board member of NYCID. He was dedicated to his work and the community of Staten Island.