Dominic Joseph Vasquez

Dominic Joseph Vasquez, 24, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. The son of Pedro Vasquez III and Jackie (Birmingham) Vasquez, Dominic was a 2017 graduate of Bedford High School and spent time at the University of Toledo. Recently, Dominic was working as an apprentice in the Carpenter Local 687 Union where he was pursuing a passion of building things with his hands and he was especially proud of the work he was doing on the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

Dominic loved to compete but was a soft-hearted, gentle young man who spent time and energy working with differently-abled students throughout his time at Bedford. Dominic made it his mission to ensure that no one felt they didn’t belong. He excelled as a wrestler and was a State tournament finalist in his senior season at Bedford placing 6th in Michigan, as well as a talented baseball player. Dominic was an All-American NCWA wrestler and a Top-8 national finisher in his weight class. “Dom” was a national Greco-Roman champion and when his wrestling career—including time as a coach and local referee—was finished he put that energy and passion into Dom-inating on the softball diamond.

He spent so many of his nights in recent years on the road, playing softball with a number of people who would become his closest friends, playing wherever he could and more often than not hitting long home runs and helping win championships all over the country. He loved the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Cleveland Browns and was never shy about arguing why Michigan sucks with his ‘pops’ and brother.

He was a passionate fitness advocate who loved loud music, a cold beer and his friends as if they were family while making his family feel like friends.

Dominic was a big brother to five siblings, including his brother Isaac who was one of his best friends throughout his life. Younger brother Mathias and his sisters, Isabella, Alexandra and Gabriella regarded him as one of their heroes and would light up whenever he was in the room. “Dum-Dum” can’t be replaced and never will be.

Dominic is survived by his parents, Pedro and Jackie Vasquez, as well as his siblings and his Welo Pedro Jr. and his Wela, Rita Vasquez. He’s also survived by countless aunts, uncles and cousins from both sides of his family through the Vasquez clan and the Birmingham family. He is preceded in death by his grandfather John Birmingham Sr. and grandmother Patricia Birmingham and his uncle Robert “Bobby” Birmingham.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.) and Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 from 1:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, Sept. 8 also at Walker Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ohio chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at 3189 Princeton Rd. Suite 174, Hamilton, Ohio 45011.