Dominic Louis “Dom†Gonzon, Sr., owner of Penn Bantam market from the 1960’s through the ‘80s, passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2020. The New Castle native and longtime Middletown resident was 82 years old.
Penn Bantam was a family business run by Dom and his wife, Donna, with the help of their children, Nick and Lisa. He was the “neighborhood grocer†and more, providing made to order subs and deli sandwiches, cold cuts, groceries and convenience items to local families and businesses. He could be counted on to provide fresh coffee and egg sandwiches in the morning, party trays for special events, and fruit baskets over the holidays. If a local family needed anything, they could depend on Mr. Dom. He knew everyone’s regular order by just their name or face.
For Dom, family also meant community, and he made Penn Bantam a home to everyone in the neighborhood. Dom was a mentor and shared his passion for business and strong work ethic with the many young people who found their first job there. During a time when opportunities working outside the home were limited for many, Dom offered families a way to provide for their own with a sense of pride. From teens, to young adults with developmental disabilities, to parents, to those who would otherwise be retired or unemployed, he always found a job for anyone.
Dom was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He enjoyed traveling with Donna in their RV, making many friends with whom to share in new adventures. He was a lifelong fisherman and an avid gardener, providing friends, neighbors, and the local senior center with an abundance of fruits and vegetables. He taught his children and grandchildren how to swim and fish, and shared with them an appreciation of the beauty of nature.
A veteran of the Delaware National Guard, and a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Dom was an active member of his church community, serving as a Eucharistic Minister for over forty years.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Infusion Center at Christiana Care and to the staff at Dr. Himelstein’s Office for their excellent care.
Dom is survived by his wife of 56 years, Donna Gonzon (Meekins); his son, Dominic (Nick) Jr., his wife, Stacey, their children, Becky and Nicky; and his daughter Lisa, her husband Bernard McKenna, and their children, Aedin and Christopher. He was the last surviving member of his childhood family, which included parents, Frank and Margaret Gonzon; and siblings, Francis (Zeke) Gonzon, Josephine Knight, Anthony Gonzon, Sister Mary Frances Carmel, OSF, and Joseph Gonzon.
All services will be held privately. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the PAN Foundation, P.O. Box 30500, Bethesda MD 20824.
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