Mr. Dominic P. Riggio

Dominic P. Riggio, 83, of Du Quoin, passed away at 7:00 A.M., Sunday, September 12, 2004 at the Skilled Care Unit of Pinckneyville Community Hospital in Pinckneyville.
Mr. Dominic P. Riggio was born in Du Quoin on September 5, 1921 to Peter and Grace (nee Ventimiglia) Riggio and attended Du Quoin schools.  In July of 1946, Dominic married Ninfa Alongi in St. Louis, Missouri and was married for fifty-one years.  Mrs. Riggio passed away in 1997.
In 1917, Dominic's father, Pete Riggio, opened the Pete Riggio and Sons Grocery Store that served hundreds of families throughout the area at its 348 N. Hickory St. location.  After the death of his father, Dominic was a partner along with his brothers, Vincent J. and Vito T. Riggio, in the grocery business until its closing in June of 1974.
In 1933, Dominic's father opened the Pete Riggio and Sons Beer Distributorship that served a large territory in the southern half of the state.  After the deaths of his brothers, Mr. Riggio continued to operate the business with his son, Pete Guy Riggio, until June of 1997 when the business was purchased by the Bleyer family of Carbondale.
>From 1942 until 1945, Dominic trained at Camp Campbell, Kentucky and Camp Barkeley, Texas and proudly served his country during World War II in England, France, and Germany as a Radio Operator with 152nd Signal Corps advancing to the rank of Sergeant by the time of his discharge in late 1945.  The 152nd Signal Corps was part of the 12th Armored Division known as the Hellcat Division.  Mr. Riggio's division came in the 3rd Wave at Normandy, France and the division, along with the 7th Army spearheaded for General George C. Patton in the Battle of the Bulge.  Dominic was one of only two in the 152nd Signal Company to receive the Bronze Star for valor.  He was also part of a liaison team that liberated three Concentration Camps, Auschwitz, Dachau, and Mauthausen and took part in the liberation of France.  He earned the "Thank You America Certificate" from the French Government for his contribution to the liberation of France during World War II.  He was also awarded the French Commemorative Medal of the 1939 - 1945 war from Brigadier General ARNOUS-RIVIERE, Military Attache for the French Government for having participated in the French Campaign of 1944.  Dominic had also earned a Purple Heart.
Mr. Riggio was a life member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Du Quoin and a lifetime member of Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree, Veterans of Foreign War, the Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, and the Eagles Lodge.  He was presented with the Official Golden Age Eagle Award from the Eagles Lodge in September 2001.  He was also a member of the Elks Lodge of Du Quoin.
Mr. Riggio gave generously to his faith community Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Sacred Heart Endowment fund.  He contributed to many charitable causes as well including: Easter Seals, United Cerebral Palsy, the American Lung Association, Feed the Children Campaign, the March of Dimes, Girls and Boys Town, the American Heart Association, the Paralyzed American Veterans, the National World War II Memorial Fund, Muscular Dystrophy and many of the charities in the community.
Mr. Riggio leaves behind the many area residents whom he considered life long friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his dear wife, Ninfa, to whom he was married for fifty-one years, two sisters, Katie Fiantaco and Laura Brock, and two brothers, Vincent J. Riggio and Vito T. Riggio.  He is survived by his son, Pete Guy Riggio (Milinda) of Du Quoin, daughter, Grace Rosalie Riggio-Greenberg of Lisle-Naperville, IL; dear grandchildren, Spenser Garrett Greenberg and Shana Lia Greenberg of Lisle-Naperville, IL and Brad Allan Riggio (Michelle) of Bethal Park, PA; sisters-in-law, Betty Riggio and Dorothy Alongi of Du Quoin; his wife's brother, John R. Alongi (Betty) of Du Quoin.  Nieces and nephews, Jacqueline Williams (Dale) and Joann Isom (William) of Du Quoin, Grace Huite (Edgar) of Foley, AL, and Rosalie Alongi of St. Louis, MO, Pete H. Riggio, Guy H. Alongi (Rose), Guy W. Alongi (Beth) and John Alongi II (Cara) all of Du Quoin; great-nieces and nephews, Aimee Huite of Foley, AL, and Gabriella Alongi and Grace Alongi of Du Quoin, Dr. Dan Williams (Laura) of Crystal Lake, William Scott Isom (Monica) of Du Quoin, Kreg Huite of Foley, AL, J.R. Alongi and Shawn Alongi and John Alongi III of Du Quoin; Great-great nieces and nephews, Jaci Williams of Crystal Lake, Laura Isom of Du Quoin, and Makayla Huite of Foley, AL and Kyle Williams of Crystal Lake.
Mass of Christian burial was at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, September 18, 2004 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Du Quoin with Msgr. Harry Jerome officiating.
Friends called from 5 to 8 P.M., Friday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Du Quoin and from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M., Saturday at the church.
Rosary was prayed at 10:30 A.M., Saturday at the church.
A Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Chalice Service was at 6 P.M., Friday at the church.
Interment was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery at Du Quoin.
Military graveside rites were conducted by Du Quoin VFW and American Legion.
Friends may make memorials to the Sacred Heart Endowment Fund, Du Quoin Knights of Columbus Mentally Retarded Children's Fund, Du Quoin VFW Disabled Veteran's Fund, Du Quoin American Legion Disabled Veteran's Fund, Du Quoin Elks Crippled Children's Fund, and Du Quoin Eagles Annual Children's Christmas Party Fund.
Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin was in charge of arrangements.

