Dominick J. Persiani


Dominic J. Persiani, May 21, 1953 Image from the Courier-Post newspaper
Dominic Persiani, May 21, 1953

DOMINICK J. PERSIANI was born in New Jersey in 1918 to Caesar and Alma Persiani. The 1920 Census shows the family, which then consisted of Dominick and three older sisters, living at 311 Division Street in South Camden.

Dominick Persiani received a grammar school education and then went into the workforce. The 1930 Census shows that he was living with his parents, Cesar and Alma Persiani, and four siblings, older sisters Anna and Mildred, and younger siblings Barbara and John at 420 West Street. His father was then working as a butcher. The family moved to 231 Washington Street during the 1930s.

In the time between the April, 1930 census and the 1940 Census, Dominick Persiani married, and worked as a sheet metal worker. The 1940 Census shows him and wife Carmela at 223 Washington Street in Camden. The Persiani's later moved to an apartment at 301 Penn Street, where they were when, in 1943 he was inducted into the United States Army. On October 9, 1943 at Camden Dominick Persiani was sworn to service, leaving his wife Carmela behind to serve his country. Assigned to the 369th Ordinance Maintenance Company, he went overseas in March of 1945. After serving in the Central European campaign, he returned home and was discharged at Fort Dix on November 17, 1945.

Returning home after the War, by 1947 the Persianis were living at 327 Division Street. He was then working as a mechanic. The following year, Dominic Persiani joined the Camden Fire Department and was assigned to Engine Company 6 at Front and Linden Streets, as a hoseman. In 1951 he was transferred to Engine Company 7, based at 1115 Kaighn Avenue. The family later moved to 1629 Pulaski Street.

On November 9, 1951 Dominick J. Persiani was badly during a training exercise at the Camden Fire School at South 8th Street and Morgan Boulevard. He spent the next ten months at the county hospital at Lakeland. He died from complications arising from his injuries while on duty on May 19, 1953, survived by his wife, daughters Elma and Carol, parents and siblings. Dominick J. Persiani was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Delaware Township (present day Cherry Hill) NJ on May 24, 1953


Camden Courier-Post -- May 21, 1953

Camden Courier-Post -- May 21, 1953; Dominick J. Persiani Mass Camden Courier-Post -- May 21, 1953; Dominick J. Persiani Mass Camden Courier-Post -- May 21, 1953; Dominick J. Persiani Mass

High Mass for Dominick J. Persiani, 35, will be sung Saturday at 9 a.m. in the Sacred Heart R. C. Church. Relatives in the funeral home of Joseph A. Falco, 1020 S. 4th st., where friends may call Friday night. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Mr. Persiani, a city fireman, who lived at 1620 Pulaski st., died Tuesday night in Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia.

A member of the Camden Fire Department for five years, he was first attached to Engine Co. 6, at Front and Linden sts., as a horseman, then transferred to Engine Co. 7, Mt. Ephraim and Kaighn aves.

He was injured Nov. 9, 1951 at the Camden Fire School, 8th and Morgan blvd., and spent 10 months in the Lakeland General Hospital. He underwent two operations for a brain tumor at Temple Hospital, where he had been a ptient two weeks.

Mr. Persiani was a private first class in War II. He enlisted Oct 9, 1943, and was discharged at Ft. Dix Nov. 17, 1945. He served with the 369th Ordnance Maintenance Company and was in the Central Europe Rhineland campaign. He was overseas eight months. He was born in Camden, and a lifelong resident.

Surviving are his widow, Carmella; two daughters, Elma and Carol, both at home; his mother, Alma Persiani; his father, Caesar Persiani; four sisters Mrs. Josephine Cozenza, Mrs. Bonomo, Mrs. Camille Harris and Mrs. Barbara Andriola, and a brother, John, all of Camden.


Dominick J. Persiani Fire Card

Name: Persiani, Dominick, J.

Title: FIRE [illegible]

Address: 1629 Pulaski St.

Badge. No. 80

Born At: Camden, NJ

Appointed: June. 14th. 1949

Tel: [illegible]

Where: [illegible]

Blood Type: A Positive

Date: March 5th. 1918

Reported for Duty: June. 16th. 1949