Dominick Salvatore Belardo Jr.

Dominick Salvatore Belardo Jr., 82, of Herndon, Virginia, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 25, 2025. Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, on March 20, 1942, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and tireless servant to his country and community.

Dom is survived by Karen Belardo, his devoted and loving wife of 53 years (in his words, “the best decision I ever made”); his son, Michael Dominick Belardo (Wife Jennifer) daughters Kelly Maria Duffy (husband Pat) and Christina Anne Vaudo (husband Corey); and his 11 grandchildren, Dominick, Andrew, Luke, John, Mallory, Sam, Norah, Cooper, Ashlyn, Declan, and Colleen; and sister Carol Evans. He was preceded in death by his parents Dominick and Rose Belardo.

Dom was a proud alumnus of Rutgers University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant out of the Reserve Officer Training Corps in September of 1964 . He later earned a Master of Arts in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma.

A retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force, Dominick selflessly served his country for more than 48 years in both the public and private sector. Holding some of our nation’s most sensitive security clearances, Dom acted as an invaluable, relentless intelligence officer through the Vietnam War and Cold War completing his military service at Osan Air Base, Korea. He oversaw the intelligence production and provided the foundation for our military plans on the Korean Peninsula. Following his military service, Dom capped off a life of service by managing multiple, highly classified security programs at the Department of Energy. Simply put, he loved to give. He was lauded over the years as a ‘dynamic, talented and versatile officer’ and team-first leader that built lasting, meaningful relationships with both those that he worked for and with. His accomplishments in the Air Force earned him the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal, among others.

Throughout his career and retirement, he was passionate about his faith, volunteering and giving back to his community. He was critical in the establishment of Saint John Neumann Catholic Church where he faithfully attended from 1980 until his passing and loved the Children’s Mass which he helped organize. Dom loved baseball – playing, coaching and watching – and served as the president of Reston Little League, as well as the equipment coordinator for more than 50 teams over a span of more than 15 years. His dedication was so great that a field was named after him. He coached hundreds of children in basketball and baseball with many reaching out as adults to thank him for his example and words of wisdom. His famously repeated mantra of “Never Give Up” is undoubtedly echoed in the homes of his former players to their children today. He was also the neighborhood pool president, volunteered at a homeless shelter, coordinated and delivered food to the less fortunate, taught non-english speaking kids to read and loved the less fortunate, devotedly befriending the mentally and physically handicapped. Dom could be found at yard sales on Saturday mornings. He loved buying yard sale “treasures” for everyone… his kids, grandkids, the neighbors. It was always about others.

He will be remembered for his deep love of family, his kindness, and his selfless dedication to others. Dom was someone who always gave of himself—whether it was coaching children in sports, volunteering at a homeless shelter, or simply lending a listening ear to anyone in need.

A wake will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Money and King Funeral Home from 3-5 PM. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM, followed by graveside services at Fairfax Memorial Park, 4401 Burke Station Rd. Fairfax, VA 22032.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cornerstones, https://www.cornerstonesva.org A nonprofit organization which supports the homeless shelter where Dom volunteered.