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At the foot of Croagh Patrick

The Petteys recently made their first visit to Ireland. After the traditional pilgrim’s hike up Croagh Patrick, they stopped into Campbell’s at the foot of the mountain. There was Dominik’s funeral card pinned to the rafters. Sláinte!

Big old boxes

Dominik happily took this video of his friends “boxing” at school and posted it on social media. For those who never experienced his sense of humor in person, his laugh says it all. “It is requisite for the relaxation of the mind that we make use, from time to time, of playful deeds and jokes.”…

Gathering in Boston

Each year in Boston, friends of Dominik have gathered together November 1 in his memory for a prayer service or Mass. They always initiate this gathering on their own and then graciously send word of the event the next day to the Petteys. Alums of both Gonzaga and Georgetown Prep, many of Dom’s friends–old and…

God’s time

By early winter at the beginning of second semester Junior Year, Dominik had missed a lot of school. In addition to his personal absences, the Washington area had several winter storms. Classes were cancelled, but the students were still expected to keep up with their reading and homework. Gonzaga lost even more days that cold…

Feeling alone

Being overwhelmed, sad and anxious Junior year made Dominik withdraw not only from attending school, but also from the companionship of his friends. When someone would ask what was going on or where he’d been, he would say: “I’m dealing with some stuff”, or “I can’t tell you right now”. Sometimes, he’d try to explain…

The Flow

Dominik’s experience of struggle after his burst appendix made feeling well again all the more sweet. During the Summer between Junior and Senior year, he worked at Ledo’s, did some schoolwork, played some hockey and began to gather again with his friends. When he was welcomed back to Gonzaga for his Senior year, he was…

“Live like Dom”

I went to pre-school with Dominik, and then 1st through 8th grade with him at St. Bart’s. I also lived a few blocks away in his neighborhood so we would carpool and hang out together while we were growing up. We went to separate high schools: Dom to Gonzaga and me to St. John’s, so…

Dom in Utah

At the start of his freshman year in college, PJ (a friend of Dom’s who was also in the accident) was sharing his experience with a new friend who’d heard nothing of the tragedy before.