Dominic John "Johnnie" Cordaro

SHREVEPORT, LA - Dominic John "Johnny" Cordaro, 95, of Shreveport, LA passed away following a lengthy illness on April 19, 2016. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Rev. Charles Glorioso officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Park Cemetery East, St. Vincent Ave. Visitation will be on Friday at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Southside Chapel from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Vigil and Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. Dominic John Cordaro was born in Caccamo, Sicily on October 28, 1920, and immigrated to America as an infant. After moving to Shreveport as a child, he remained a lifelong resident and an active member of the business community. Dominic graduated from St. John\'s School in 1939. People with whom he grew up called him Dominic; adult friends and business associates referred to him as Johnny. He married Juanita Pauline (Polly) McBride, on February 27, 1949. Together they raised a family of seven children. To his family, he was DJ, Dad and Peppaw. He was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. His Catholic upbringing gave him a deep and abiding faith which was reflected in his positive, joyful approach to life and his generosity to others, even during the most adverse times in his life. During WWII he served in the 83rd Infantry Division, participating in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central European Campaigns. He was awarded the Bronze Star during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he returned to Shreveport and his true calling as a people person interacting with the public as a retail merchant. In 1952, he opened the first of several stores. The Liquor Mart, on Youree Drive, was a Shreveport institution for many years. With his slogan \"Wine Spoken Here\" he helped introduce Shreveport to fine wine. Always an innovator, he had the first drive-through window service in the Shreveport-Bossier area. He also provided his non-drinking customers with a "Big Bag\" for their purchases. He was invited to join prestigious associations such as Les Ami du Vin, Wine and Spirits Guild of America, and Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. Having a sophisticated palette, he was impressive during blind tastings. He was always able to suggest the perfect wine for any occasion. Unpretentious about wine, he always encouraged people to drink what they enjoyed. For DJ, his drink of choice was root beer. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 60 years, Juanita Pauline (Polly) McBride Cordaro, son Russell D. Cordaro, parents Giacomo and Rosina Nuzzo Cordaro and brother, Nick J. Cordaro and wife Agnes. He is survived by his children Rosalind Clement and husband C.J. of Gonzales, LA, Sally Lippe and husband, George of Tulsa, OK, Patricia Goudeau and husband, James of Shreveport, LA, Gregory Cordaro and wife Mandy of Baton Rouge, LA, Paul Cordaro of Shreveport, LA, and Marilyn Everett and husband Peter of Acworth, GA. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Jeffrey Clement, Jonathan Clement, Kristen Trosclair, Kira Clement, Mary Clement, John Lippe, Madeline (Mattie) Lippe, Grayson Goudeau, Renee Goudeau, Celeste Goudeau, Nick Cordaro, Caroline Cordaro, Ian Everett and Catherine Everett, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Honoring Peppaw as pallbearers will be his grandsons. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Dominic I. Cordaro, Russell Cecola, DDS, and Marty Marak. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Willis-Knighton Pierremont Step-Down unit for the excellent care for dad\'s brief stay. Also to NWLA War Veterans Home, Wing II. To Dr. Roy Fleniken, Wanda Harris, RN and the wonderful staff of Wing II including the Dietary Department for the loving care given to him. The family suggests memorial donations may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 315 Marshall St., Shreveport, LA 71101; Holy Angels, 10450 Ellerbe Rd., Shreveport, LA 71106; Providence House, 814 Cotton St., Shreveport, LA 71101; Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana, 2307 Texas St., Shreveport, LA 71103 or the donor's choice. With any new or old friend, he always left a lasting, memorable impression. He was known for his words of wisdom and sayings for all occasions. He will truly be missed, and will always be in our hearts.