Dominic Sarantha
August 11, 2018
Mass for Christian Burial for Dominic Sarantha, 95-year-old Buffalo man who passed away Saturday at the Westview Care Center in Sheridan, will be celebrated Saturday, August 18th at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Buffalo with Father Pete Johnson as celebrant. Visitation will be held at on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Harness Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo. A Vigil Service will at the funeral home on Friday at 7:00 p.m. Interment will be in Willow Grove Cemetery with the American Legion and VFW in charge of military graveside rites. A reception will follow at the Catholic Hall.
Donations in Dominic’s memory may be made to Susie Bowling Lawrence Hospice or Buffalo Senior Center in care of Harness Funeral Home at 351 N. Adams in Buffalo.
Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com
Dominic Michael (Joe) Sarantha was born June 27, 1923 in West Frankfort, Illinois to Giuseppe (Joseph) and Lucia (Lucy) Sarantha. He was a first generation Italian-American. His family moved to Buffalo when he was two where he grew up with his sister, Rita. He graduated from Johnson County High School in 1941. Following graduation he moved to California to attend college, and met his first wife, Dollie. They were married August 1943 in California. He joined the US Army during World War II and served in the European Theater where he fought at the Battle of the Bulge and the Ardennes region of central Europe. He also received a European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and was invited to attend an English Military Training Academy. Following the War he returned to California where his first daughter was born. They moved back to Buffalo in 1946 as co-owners of Buffalo Creamery. They returned to Lakewood, California in the late 40’s where he started his sales career and had two more children, later divorcing. He retired in 1983 and in 1991 he met Marian L. Stewart. They were married in Sheridan, Wyoming on January 24, 1994. Dominic and Marian made their home in Buffalo where they lived at the time of his death. His passions were fishing and golfing. He was a devoted husband, father, and very proud of his extended family.
He is survived by his wife Marian of Buffalo; one son, Larry and his wife Cathy Cao of Anaheim Hills, California; two daughters, Cheryl Jensen of Fullerton, California, and Christie Sarantha Vliss and her husband Steve of Villa Park, California. His five grandchildren are Chad Turner, Sommer Bartulis, Joshua Jensen, Jenna Vliss, Jenson Vliss. His six great-grandchildren are, Katie, Lauren and Andrew Turner, Siena and Emory Jensen, and Dylan Bartulis. His surviving nieces and nephews are Christine and Dr. Bob Hammond, Craig and Robin Lipus, Carol and Jeff Erle, Sandi Lipus, Frank and Georgiana Lipus, Michael and Jonie Johnson, Larry and Debbie Johnson, Mark Johnson, Bob and Renee O’Dea. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.
