DOMINIC ANTHONY FUSCI, was born May 15, 1922, (Greenwich Village), New York City, New York, to Anthony Francis and Margaret Maloney Fusci. Two brothers, Patrick Joseph and Thomas Joseph completed the family. Dominic attended St. Joseph Grammar School and Immaculate High School in New York City. For two years, he attended Manual Training High School in Brooklyn, NY, where he played football. His early football honors included All-New York, All-Metro, and being named to the Schoolboy Hall of Fame. In June 1941, Dominic attended the University of South Carolina (USC-Columbia) where he received a 4-year football scholarship. He graduated with an AB degree in education. During his collegiate career, he earned many honors: first and only lineman in the school’s history to make the All Southern Sophomore Team (1942); selected to the 1946 All Southern Second Team; selected to the All State Team in 1943 and 1946. Dominic started every USC football game for three years. He was considered the finest tackle in the country by his coach Rex Enright.

While attending USC, Dominic went on a blind date with Marjorie Lane, whom he later married. They were blessed with three children: Toni Tackett of Fort Worth, Donna Fusci of Columbia, and son Dominic Thomas Fusci also of Columbia. They have three grandchildren. Dominic and Marjorie celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on May 16, 2009.

Drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1945, Dominic returned to USC to play the 1946 season. Dominic was selected as an All Pro in the American Football League in 1948 and 1949. He was the first USC Gamecock to play in a Pro-College All Star game in Chicago. In 1991, Dominic was inducted into the SC Athletic Hall of Fame and, following in 1993, was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2008, the SC Athletic Hall of Fame honored Dominic at a special event to recognize him for his service. Dominic enjoyed a 35-year career with Southern Radio Corporation, a distributor for RCA. He is one of three men in the nation who earned the coveted RCA “excel” ring.

Dominic, a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, contributed to the early discussions that led to the building of Cardinal Newman High School, the only Catholic high school in Columbia. With the influence of local Catholic clergy -- late Msgr. Joseph Bernadin (later, Cardinal Bernadin) and the late Fr. Charles Kelly -- Dominic and others in the Catholic community, including Joe Tronco and Henry Martin (also lodge members), established a booster club and Cardinal Newman High School became a reality.

A trip to Italy that Dominic and Marjorie shall always treasure occurred in 1973 when they flew to Rome to tour the city and have an audience with then Pope John Paul II. They also toured Palermo, Sicily, and traveled to the town of Caccamo, Sicily, where Dominic’s family originated. During their visit, they enjoyed wonderful Sicilian hospitality and food and attended a huge celebration in honor of their patron St. George. Dominic recalled it was as if he and Marjorie had gone back in time, with street musicians playing all around the town and a parade of decorated carts pulled by donkeys with plumes on their heads. Everyone was dancing to Italian mandolins followed by the sounds of accordions throughout the night.

In 2008, at the age of 86, Dominic was diagnosed with bladder cancer and underwent major surgery to have the bladder removed. He said his doctor told him he was the oldest patient on whom he had performed this particular procedure. With the surgery and recovery now behind him, Dominic jokes that the doctor took several body parts out of him during surgery that he is still looking for! Fortunately, he did not have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation.

Dom is currently a trustee for the Lodge and we thank him for his continued service and wish him all the best..