BARRE TOWN, Vt. — Dominic J. Gacetta, 82, of Wildersburg Common, passed away at his home on Friday, June 24, surrounded by his family.

He was born on Nov. 2, 1928, in Rumford, the seventh son of a seventh son to Italian immigrants Dominic Gacetta and Clorinda Ciccarelli. He graduated from Stephens High School where he was on the State Championship football team. After high school, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served during World War II. After his service, he went to prep school at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield where he played football and made many lifelong friends. He was a graduate of Bates College in Lewiston.

In 1951, he married Betty Ryder. They lived in the Lewiston-Auburn area of Maine where he was a teacher and principal in Readfield. When his family started to grow, Dom became a salesman for General Mills. He was transferred to Barre, Vt., in 1964 where his family lived for many years. They briefly lived in Camden, Maine before returning to Barre. He retired from Scott Paper Co. where several times he was named salesman of the year. Dom also spent many of his retired winters in St. Petersburg, Fla., where he enjoyed golfing.

Dom is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Betty; his daughter, Donna Gacetta and her husband, John Venner, of Essex, Vt.; daughter, Sandra Ayer, of Barre, Vt.; son, David Gacetta and his wife, Gretchen, of Olympia, Wash.; daughter, Cathy Kukla and her husband, Walter, of Essex, Vt.; daughter, Mary Beth Gacetta of Barre, Vt.; grandchildren, Michael Gacetta, Molly Gacetta, Dustin Ayer, Dominic Ayer and Kylie Halpin; great-grandchild, Riley Ayer; brother, Daniel Gacetta of Cape Elizabeth; sisters, Rose Sinclair of Portland, and Jo Gacetta of South Portland; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.