Dominick F. Cemate, 88, of Forestville, formerly of Boyers and Ganister, Blair County, died at 10:15 a.m. Friday in Orchard Manor, Pine Township, Mercer County, after a two-month illness.

Born Jan. 7, 1917, in Ganister, he was the son of John and Louise Ferrante Cemate.

He was a graduate of Williamsburg High School, Blair County.

He retired from Grove City College in 1982, where he was a plumber. He had also worked for Michigan Limestone, a U.S. Steel Division, for 35 years, Johnson Bronze in New Castle, Old Forge in New Wilmington, and Greenville Steel Car.

Mr. Cemate was a World War II veteran, serving as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 "Flying Fortress" in the U.S. Eighth Army Air Corps. He completed 25 successful heavy bomber missions, mainly over Germany, operating from a base in England. He received the air medal with three oak clusters and also received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He was a member of St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church in Forestville. He was a life member of Harrisville American Legion Post 852, having served as commander and service officer, VFW Post 519 of Grove City, Knights of Columbus 3658 of Grove City, and the Boyers Sportsman Club.

He was also a member of The Sons of Italy lodge in Boyers, and the American Association of Retired Persons.

Surviving are his wife, Flora E. DeGregory Cemate, whom he married June 22, 1946; a son, John D. Cemate of Forestville; a daughter and her husband, Ruth A. and Robert J. Klingensmith of Harrisville; four brothers, Otto Cemate of Livonia, Mich., Joseph Cemate of Butler, Sam Cemate of Lincoln Park, Mich., and Robert Cemate of Canton, Mass.; two sisters, Mrs. Phillip (Jennie) Buccini of Grove City, and Rose Middendorf of Lincoln Park, Mich.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jack Cemate, and an infant brother.

CEMATE - Friends of Dominick F. Cemate, who died Friday, March 4, 2005, will be received from 2 to 4 and from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME, 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church of Forestville with the Rev. James Armstrong, his pastor, as celebrant. Burial with military honors will be in Crestview Memorial Park, Grove City.