Dominic John “Jack” Sgammato, 87, of Milford, MA passed away peacefully of natural causes surrounded by his loving family, on January 6, 2023.
Jack was born in New York City NY , the son of the late Biaggio “Blaise” Sgammato and the late Margaret (McBreen) Sgammato. He attended public schools in New York City NY and was a graduate of Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains NY, Class of 1953. In 1958 he graduated from Manhattan College with a degree in Mathematics.

Jack started a long and productive career in sales at New York Life Insurance Company as a salesperson. Over time he advanced to senior sales and general management positions at the Johns-Manville Corporation in New York City and York, PA, Ward Process Inc in Natick, MA, and E.J. Davis Company of North Haven CT.

Jack was an active, gregarious, intelligent man who often took the initiative in helping out and in getting things done, and the mission came first. There was the time that he was delivering a case of champagne for an after-prom party for a classmate in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx. The raging blizzard would not stop that fateful delivery, but in somewhat reduced attendance by more sensible classmates. While he was snowed in with the Devereux family and a case of well-chilled champagne, Jack met Rita, the sister of the hostess. They discovered that they both knew the old Irish tear-jerker “Come Back Paddy Reilly”, and he could sing, too! 

Jack and Rita married on July 4th, 1959, bought a house in Riverdale, and went on to raise a boisterous, active family of six children during their years in New York City, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. 

In 1970, after three years in York, PA, Jack and Rita moved to Milford, MA, their home for most of their lives. They joined the parish of Saint Mary of the Assumption, where they became active for many years, and where Jack served as a Eucharistic minister.

In Milford, the children attended the Milford public schools and were active in school activities such as orchestra and sports, extra-curricular activities through the Town of Milford Parks department, and other activities such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Jack served as Committee Chairman for Cub Scout Pack #33 and as Committee Chairman for Troop #18, Boy Scouts of America.

Jack worked extra-hard these years to provide for the growing, active family, but he was never the kind of man to sit still; during family vacations he made sure to never miss a learning opportunity. Historical sites were as common as amusement parks and state parks, and on the roads between them you might have passed a station wagon full of kids and Jack singing Broadway tunes and popular hits from his younger days.

Jack had a rich, sweet tenor voice, and he shared it outside the car, too. He was often requested to sing a traditional Irish tune at the weddings of his many nieces and at other family events, and in 1971 he played the lead role in the production of the Broadway musical “Fiorello” presented by St. Mary’s Church in Milford ,MA.
By 1999 the children were all grown, graduated from college, and married. Jack and Rita retired to The Villages, Florida, where Jack continued contributing to his community by serving in his local church, as a member and Treasurer of the Italian-American Club; a member and officer of the Irish-American Club, and a member and Trustee of the Opera Club. Mr. Sgammato was also a longtime member & Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, having served in multiple Councils over the years, including Council #10034 at The Villages in Florida.

In 2016, after 17 years of active retirement and a small heart attack, Jack and Rita decided to return to Milford to spend their final years closer to their family, now growing again with a new generation!

Jack was predeceased by his parents and his sister Mary Cronce of Stamford, CT and is survived by his wife, Rita, his sister Rose Annis of Round Top, NY and brother Joseph Sgammato and his wife Judy of Norwalk, CT.  Additionally he is survived by of all of his children, their spouses, and eight beloved grandchildren: John and Lorna Sgammato of Plymouth, MA, the “Milford contingent” of William, his wife Lisa, and daughters Jane (and fiancé Dan Abernethy), Mary, and Margaret; Pegeen Dossantos and her husband Jordan, Thomas, his wife Michelle, and sons Benjamin (and wife Jennie) and Devereux; and Marita Carroll of Manhattan and Joseph, his wife Lynn, and their three children Dominic, Timothy, and Gemma of Wells, Maine.

His funeral will be held Monday (January 16th) at 11am from the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA followed by a mass of Christian Burial at 12 NOON in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 19 Winter Street, Milford MA. In accordance with his wishes cremation will follow and a Private Committal Service of his cremains will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Milford mA. A visiting hour will be held on Sunday (January 15th) from 2pm to 5pm at the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home. Visit www.edwardsmemorialfuneralhome.com for complete obituary & condolence book.