Dr. Dominic V. Megale
March 22, 1913 - April 22, 2007
Obituary
Dr. Dominic V. Megale, 94, died Sunday morning in his home at Merrill Gardens in West Seattle, WA. His wife of 54 years, Mary Jean Turnbull Megale died in 2005.
Born in Reggio di Calabria, Italy, on March 22, 1913, the son of Giuseppe and Domenica Pizzimenti Megale, he immigrated to Coss Bay, Oregon, with his parents in 1922 and had lived in the Greater Seattle area for more than 50 years.
He leaves two daughters, Cathy Megale Getman of Alameda, CA. and Marina Megale of Normany Park, WA. and a son, Mark Megale of Seattle. Also among his survivors are two sisters, Paulina Megale Beard of West Seattle and Eleanor Megale Murphy of Worcester, MA. and a brother, Dr. Joseph P. Megale of West Seattle, a partner in the practice of dentistry for many years. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and many cousins in Washington, Oregon and Italy.
Dr. Megale, an ardent boatsman and accomplished violinist, graduated from Marshfield High School in Coos Bay and studied music and biology at Sacramento Calif. Junior College. While he aspired to a career in dentistry, the years of the Great Depression caused him to leave school and launch a trucking business back home in Coos Bay. It was during that time, too, that he joined the Oregon State Guard, a unit that was called to active duty even before the attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into World War II.
Dr. Megale was a U.S. Army staff sergeant and stationed in Louisiana in 1942 when he was assigned for training as an assistant in general dentistry. He was serving in the clinics at Fort Stephens on the Columbia River in Oregon in 1944 when he was assigned for further studies at the North Pacific Dental School, now known as the University of Oregon Dental School. He graduated with the degree of doctor of dental surgery in 1946 and, after completing his active military commitment, opened a private practice in dentistry in his hometown of Coos Bay, a thriving fishing and logging town on the Oregon coast where his father operated a general store.
When the Korean Conflict broke out in 1950, Dr. Megale was recalled to active military service and served at Fort Lewis, WA. While he was again separated from active duty in 1954, Dr. Megale remained active with the Army Reserves and National Guard, retiring in 1977 with the rank of brigadier general.
During the 1970’s he was Chief of Dental Surgery for the National Guard throughout the United States.
It was in 1954 that Dr. Megale moved to Seattle and, with a friend, Dr. O.E. Royer, opened a dental practice that came to be known as the West Seattle Dental Center. It was one of the original dental group practices to be established in the Seattle-King County area. In 1982, it was the first dental group practice on the West Coast to be fully accredited through the American Academy of Dental Group Practices.
One of Dr. Megale’s most satisfying accomplishments, he often said, was the establishment of the Joe Whiting Memorial Dental Clinic in Seattle’s High Point Housing Complex. Mr. Whiting, was a pioneer West Seattle businessman who saw the need for dental care for the boys at the Bristo School in Kent. He arranged to match every Christmas whatever monies the West Seattle Rotary Club, of which Dr. Megale was an active member, would raise to provide dental care for the boys at Bristo. After Mr. Whiting died, a memorial fund was established for the specific purpose of providing dental care and through that means, Dr. Megale set up a two-chair dental facility at the Bristo School and volunteered his services to the residents there. When the school closed, Dr. Megale saw the need of a dental facility in the High Point area for the underprivileged. Through a $50, 000 grant from the Boeing Company, he organized and set up the Joe Whiting Memorial Clinic and contacted other area dentists to volunteer their evenings to treat patients. It wasn’t long when the University of Washington accredited the clinic for a teaching facility and junior and seniors of the U of W Dental School did their internship and received practical dental experience under the guidance of many West Seattle dentists volunteering their time with Dr. Megale as the dental director.
Viewing available at Bonney-Watson Parker Chapel, 900 SW 146th, Burien Wed. 4/25 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM and Thur 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. A Rosary will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in West Seattle Thurs 4/26 7:00 PM. Funeral services and mass will be Fri 4/27 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe followed by burial at Holyrood Cemetery.
What a fun guy. He took the fear out of going to the Dentist. I’ll never forget when he pulled out my impacted wisdom teeth. He used everything except a jack hammer, but he got the job done. He will be missed. Jacki North Kathy’s sister
Dear Cathy, Marina, Mark, Paulina, and Dr. J.P.,
I am Dr. O.E.EdRoyer’s daughter. I remember all of you, your vivacious mother/sis-in-law, Midge, and my beloved “Uncle Dom.” He was a wonderful friend and partner to my dad, and always so kind to me. He was the first dentist to ever give me a shot of Novocaine; my dad had filled several tiny cavities in my teeth, but I was terrified of needles, so he had to drill without it! When I was 8,Uncle Dom cut out the tissue which was separating my front teeth, and I didn’t dare refuse the shot from him–and it didn’t hurt. After that, I discovered that my Daddy was also good at injections. . . Paulina, you always got my teeth really clean–thank you.
I have been making a memory book of my childhood photos, and found several of your dad and mine, and even some of us kids. Let me know if you’d like copies.
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve the loss of a wonderful man, and celebrate his life.
Love, Suzie
We Hope we can all live up to your example Uncle Dom…Thanks for the memories, Love Mike, Jo, Ellie MaryJo, Sean
Our heart-felt condolences go out to you. Fond memories of boating on the Sound and many happy times.
Dear Megale family,D.V. was a gentleman.Gracious,caring and handsome to the end.He will truly be missed by his family and the whole dental community.Bonnie McDonald-Patterson Dental
Cathy and Family, So sorry to hear about your father. I always remember boating over to the islands and having a great time with your parents. Our prayers are with you.
Love, Donna and Jim
Dr. Dom,
My first dental hygiene position was at your clinic.My appreciation to you and Dr.Joe for not only providing me a positive work experience but for giving me a JOB!!
Greetings and prayers to Maria, Lisa,Theresa,Gina,Celeste & Paulina.
Blessings and prayers for you Dr. Dom for along your way.
Marykaye
Back in 1972 as a thirteen year old Dr. Megale took me in without knowing where the payment would come from. Thanks for caring.
our whole family were patients of Dr.DV and have many great memories of visiting him in his office. one very special man. Bette,Roy,Doug,Jeff,Pam and Susan Coon. What a pleasant personality!!!!
“When one person is missing, the whole world seems depopulated” This quote really tells how it feels to say goodbye to one so much a part of his family. My hugs to all the Megales and know he will not be forgotten for his ways, his smile,his charm.. his legacy. I know I will not forget.
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Megale family – my many memories of Dr. Megale are of him coming in with a smile and being a patient and meticulous Dentist, even if the patient was a squirming 5 – 18 yr old : Thank you for your vision of helping those less fortunate! Susan Coon Burnett
thank you for your friendship
and teaching me dental health.
Our West Seattle community has lost a fine gentleman who dedicated his life to family friends & the underserved.Dr. Megale was truly an inspiration to all who were priveleged to know him.Our family extends heartfelt sympathy at your great loss.
Sincerely,
Sam & Sue tarica
Dr. Megale…. What does one say in farewell to her first dentist? From that first traumatic visit at 4 years old until I married and moved to Canada at 24, you took care of all my teeth. You taught me how to ensure I’ve got them all still today. Your sister Paulina could always coerce me into coming with her to UW as her “victim” and I think of her fondly, as I remember you fondly, too. Your family is so very lucky they had you in their lives for so many years — many will miss you, Dr Megale — peaceful journey to you. Pam
Mark,
My prayers are with you and family.
What an incredibe man. I am a close of friend of Theresa one of Dr. Megale’s nieces. The entire Megale family are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
j am the daugther of angela trunfio dead in 2009 to reggio calabria. she was the grandson of domenica pizzimenti
Mia madre Angela Trunfio mi parlava della zia Domenica Pizzimenti che aveva sposato Domenico Megale, partiti tanto tempo fa per l’America, Mi parlava anche dei suoi cugini Paulina, Domenico (dentista) e Geraldine .Dei tre cugini ho una foto che conservo gelosamente; ho anche una foto di zia Domenica, che era la sorella di mia nonna Francesca. Io sono insegnante di scuola superiore ed insegno in un Liceo Artistico di Reggio.Vorrei abbracciarvi tutti. Saluti dall’Italia.