Dominic H. Tavoni, Jr.

Dominic H. Tavoni, Jr., loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, age 99, of Avondale, Pennsylvania passed away on November 26, 2025 on hospice at Newport Meadows in Christiana, Pennsylvania.

Born at home in Kennett Square, he was the youngest child of the late Dominic A. Tavoni, Sr. and the late Grace Martelli Tavoni.

After graduating from Kennett Consolidated High School, he enlisted in the United States Merchant Marines on November 28, 1944.  After completing his training at Sheephead Bay, New York as a Seaman Second Class 2B, he traveled to India via the Suez Canal with ports of call in Madras, Bombay and overhaul in Bari, Italy.  His duties included Type T2 tankers, the SS Powder River, SS Draper Meadows, SSEL Hendry, SS Atlantic Trader, SS Atlantic Mariner and the SS Atlantic Ranger.  After his honorable service to the Country, he returned to Kennett Square to work alongside his father and brothers at the Tavoni Brothers Mushroom business. 

Dominic was a man of many talents.  Primarily, he was a talented musician.  He began playing the piano and accordion at young age and became a member of the Beachcomber Band.  Dominic obtained his pilot’s license at the New Garden Airfield and was a member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church where he sang in their choir.  He was a member of the American Legion and an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Italian American Citizens League as their oldest living member.  He enjoyed playing golf, gardening and smoking his pipe. Dominic was fortunate to be able to stay in his home as long as he did.  He loved sitting on his porch, watching and feeding the birds alongside the company of his cat.

In addition to his parents, Dominic was predeceased by his sister, Hilda Donofrio; brothers, Samuel J. Tavoni and Anthony J. Tavoni; his first wife of 25 years, Concetta “Dolly” DiGiacomo Tavoni; his second wife of 40 years, Leslie Gillie Tavoni; his sons, Dominic H. Tavoni, III and Richard M. Tavoni; grandchildren, Adrianne C. Dilley and Adam Matthew “Matt” Dilley.

He is survived by his children, David Tavoni (Sharon) of Oxford,  Connie Dilley (Joe) of Kennett Square, Andrew Tavoni of Los Angeles, California, Gifford Tavoni (Erica) of East Earl; grandchildren, Rachel Hillworth, Danielle Porto, Alexandria Fonda, Samantha Tavoni, Joe Dilley, Jr., Allison Tuscano and Christopher Tavoni; great-grandchildren, Marissa Hillworth, Michael Hillworth, Vinny Porto, Gemma Porto, Nick Porto, Derek Tavoni, Tristin Tavoni, Luca Tuscano, Giada Tuscano and Jack Dilley; step-grandson, Lennie Benson, Jr.

He will be greatly missed .

A viewing will be from 9:30AM until 10:30AM with a Funeral Mass at 10:30AM on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Catholic Church, 8910 Gap Newport Pike, Avondale.  Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, Kennett Square.

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