Michael Francis Domina, kind, intelligent, funny, long-distance driver extraordinaire, and his family’s undisputed trivia champion, died at age 77 at his daughter’s home in Bristol, Maine on July 8, 2024. Born in Chicago to parents Eunice (Sanken) and Francis Domina on November 25, 1946, Chicago was always home to him, even for the brief periods he lived outside city limits. He served as his family’s original GPS, navigating Chicago’s streets with ease, and allowing us to do the same. After graduating Brother Rice High School, he attended Illinois Institute of Technology on an engineering scholarship, but soon changed to a major in photography at IIT’s Institute of Design, a change which resulted in a legacy of beautiful documentation of his daughters’ childhoods and family vacations. This is also where he met Meryl Greer, whom he married on December 31, 1967 and weathered ups and downs with, through almost 57 years.

Mike worked as a courier until his retirement, remaining steadfast even as the company changed names and ownerships, enjoying the time this gave him to listen to NPR, work on NY Times crossword puzzles, save perfectly good furniture from landfills, and explore new areas. Mike was steadfast in his loyalty and support of family and friends as well. All of us have stories of long drives Mike took for us; packing feats of tetris-like genius; music, jokes, books, and articles shared on our interests; and Mike showing up reliably–even if reliably a little later than scheduled. Mike’s enduring legacy is our certainty in his pride in us and his love.

Mike’s curiosity and zest for learning was voracious. Once past his shyness, he loved to share about his recent discoveries, whether about electric cars, movies, climate change, overlanding, science fiction, folk music, his most recent travel focus, or political insights. Mike’s love of space and astronomy opened up the universe to his daughters. Mike listened as well, always open to new perspectives and respectful of differences, though firm in his commitment to human dignity.

You can best remember Mike by fact checking what you read, (re)watching Star Wars, spending time at an independent bookstore, eating a slice of pie or carrot cake, squeezing into a parking space a little smaller than you think your car can fit, and voting for kindness and intelligence in upcoming elections. 

One of Mike’s favorite authors wrote: “May you live as long as you wish, and love as long as you live." While Mike’s death was sudden, it came after a two year struggle with pulmonary issues, leaving the family sure that Robert Heinlein’s words came true for Mike. He will be missed deeply by daughters Natasha (Randy) Domina and Rebecca (Tim) Butcko; wife Meryl; sister Gwen; brother Frank (Cheryl); and all those lucky enough to have known him. He was predeceased by his sister Adrienne. A memorial service will be held Friday, August 23 at 1:00 p.m. at K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Synagogue, Chicago. Memorial contributions may be made to Circle Pines Center (circlepinescenter.org). 

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543.  Condolences, and messages for his family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.