Domenic Dibernardo RIP

[Raphael]

Domenic passed away last week: https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/highlan ... 24233.html

A great guy, and a real character. While he was still mentally alert, we would talk almost every week. Then, about two years ago, the phone calls became a real struggle. A very, very sad way to go for such an active mind.

A short story: about 6 or 7 years ago, at Union, he wanted me to buy a particular music box that I had little interest in. But he persisted, and at the end of the show he just told me "take it, pay me after you sell it". OK, the deal was done, but when I got home I thought about it some more and just mailed him a check. He called me a week later and said I had shortchanged him by $1,000. We debated the issue, and I gave him the benefit of the doubt (even though I knew I was right) and sent him another check. Well, don't you know, he called me a week later and said "I was wrong, I found a note in my desk with the agreed price of the music box, and you were right all along". He never cashed the second check I sent him and proved to me that not only was he an honest man, but a man big enough to admit his own mistake, ex-post-facto.

The hobby, and the world, has lost a fine person.

Raphael

[outune]

Thanks for posting this Raphael-- I always enjoyed my opportunities to talk with Domenic at shows. He was a wealth of information and obviously loved our hobby.
Although I never got to see his collection in person, I saw many pictures on his website over the years. Wow! Just an incredible collection.
Many years ago I sold him a case to an Edison Eclipse coin-op I had picked up at auction. It needed some "help", but I believe he eventually put the machine together.
Prayers for his family during this difficult time. He will be missed.

Thanks-
Brad Abell

[Roaring20s]

For those, like me, that did not know him.
https://www.youtube.com/user/mcaruana1

James.

[GeorgeDixon]

My father used to keep an old photo of the first Union on his desk.
It depicted three young collectors on top of a mountain of phonographs and parts - Domenic, Howard Hope and my father.
Dad loved his conversations with Domenic. They could go years without seeing each other and pick up like it was yesterday.
He was a real gentleman and will be missed.

[chunnybh]

Domenic was a generous and wonderful man. I was luck to have visited him and his collection in Canada. Surly one of the most important collection of phonographs anywhere. He helped me out several times. He will be missed.
I've been looking through the quality book published by Domenic, " The Berliner Gramophone ..an Illustrated History" by Mark Caruana-Dingli"
Some excellent photography of phono's.
Chunny

[phonolady]

Domenic set up across from Lerria and I for many years at Union. Maybe 20 years.

He was a wealth of knowledge and always fun to visit with during the show.
I will never forget the year he brought a totally gold plated opera he had done to
show his great abilities, it was wild! We always looked forward to seeing him each year and he will be sorely
missed. Condolences to his family, and wishing comfort and peace.
We are blessed to have known him.

David & Lerria Rosamond

[Raphael]

That gold-plated Opera was a real hoot. I think it's still in his collection. Another year he brought a fully restored Nicole Frères Grand Format Piano Forte Overture music box. Absolutely one of the finest music boxes ever made. After keeping it for a few years, he offered it to me, and I picked it up from him at the next Union. It resides front and center in my living room, and every day when I pass it by I always think of Domenic.

Raphael

[TinfoilPhono]

Here are a couple of pictures of Dominic's gold Opera.