Duke Prof. Dr. Domenic A. Vavala, M.D., PH.D., Lt. Col. USAF Ret.

Domenic Anthony Vavala was born February 1, 1925 and was the son of the late Salvatore and Rose Maria (Grenci). He was the brother of the late Lena R. Vavala.  He resided in Johnston, R.I.

Dr. Vavala graduated from Classical High School in Providence, R.I. and went on to Yale University where he received certification in basic engineering.  He then moved on to Brown University where he earned his B of A degree in 1947.  He then completed graduate studies in medical sciences at Tufts College Medical School of Boston.  Following Tufts, he attended the University of Rhode Island where he received a Master of Science Degree.  Boston University Graduate School was the scene of further graduate studies in the medical sciences.  From there he attended Trinity University at San Antonio, Texas where he earned his Master of Arts degree.  He then went on to attend four military schools which included the U. S. Air Force School of Aviation Medicine and the U. S. Navy Medical School.  In November of 1956 he completed work for two doctors degrees, one from the College of Divine Metaphysics at Indianapolis, Indiana and a Doctor’s in Physiology from Phoenix University in Bari, Italy.

Dr. Vavala was internationally renowned as a medical doctor, scientist, educator, administrator, lecturer, author, editor and professor.  In addition, he was a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  He was also the Magnificent Rector and President of the Constantinian University.

During his twenty years in the U. S. Air Force Medical Service Division, he was on the professional staffs of various U. S. Air Force medical graduate schools and teaching hospitals.  In addition to his research duties, he instructed thousands of physicians, dentists, nurses, scientists and numerous medical technicians of the U. S. Air Force, U. S. Army, U. S. Navy and the U. S. Marine Corps along with other government related medical and non-medical professionals.  He was the Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association of Doctors in the U. S. which is the official register of doctors in the United States.  He had a widespread reputation as an outstanding lecturer and acclaimed as a “silver-tongued orator”.  Military authorities would grant permission to various school and college administrators and faculty’s to attend his lectures or courses in aviation and aerospace physiology and physiopathology.

In 1955 he was recognized in the Texas Journal of Science for discovering a clue to a possible cure for cancer.  He was acknowledged to be an important human resource of the United States because of his outstanding contributions to science, his dedication and commitment to the members of the human family and for his noteworthy personal achievements.  In 1970 he was awarded an Air Force Commendation Medal for distinguished meritorious service as Chief Research and Development Officer of the Aerospace Medical Division.  His efforts and dedication resulted in the authorship and publication of many outstanding scientific studies.

He always enjoyed public speaking events relating to his Catholic religion.  He accepted every invitation to speak as an opportunity to share his religious experiences with people of all faiths.  While in the service he crossed paths with an Imperial Highness, a high patron of the Constantinian University in Rome, established by the emperor Constantine the Great on Palatine Hill in Rome before 330AD.  He became intensely interested in the world’s oldest school.  Dr. Vavala’s genealogy was researched and it was discovered that he came from nobility.  His curiosity led him to form the Constantinian University under the guidance of the Rome Imperial Highness.  This University awarded honorary doctorate degrees in all fields of knowledge to men and women that had good moral and social reputations and whom have made major contributions to the betterment of the human race.  In 1969, Dr. Vavala, Minister Plenipotentiary for the U. S. A. of the Noble Academy of Empress Saint Theodora of Rome Italy, was named a Knight Grand Officer, Merit Class, of the Sovereign Constantinian Order of Saint George.

After his retirement from the service and with a continued focus and commitment to the Constantinian University, he was enlisted to teach anatomy and physiology at Johnson & Wales College in 1973.  He signed on as an adjunct faculty member and within a short time he was elevated to instructor of humanities as a permanent faculty member.  He was then promoted to associate dean of the adjunct faculty and then dean of faculty responsible for more than 450 adjunct and non-adjunct faculty members.  Later he was made chairman of the culinary arts division where he initiated a culinary nutrition program.  By the time he retired from J & W he had taught in 8 disciplines.  He was always known to keep his students spellbound.  He also added an air of nobility to the commencement ceremonies by introducing the University’s honorary candidates in a singing booming tenor voice, articulating each award.

He will always be remembered; especially by his genersoity through the Doctor Domenic A. Vavala Charitable Fund.  He leaves his cousin Catherine (Gagliardi) Langley of Waterford, CT and his extended family and devoted best friends Bob and Beverly Mello of Johnston.  He will surely be missed.
 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, Cranston.  Burial will be private.  Visiting hours are respectfully omitted.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Saint Robert Bellarmine Food Shelf, 1804 Atwood Ave., Johnston, R. I., 02919 or to the Rhode Island Foundation, One Union Station, Providence, RI 02903 for the Doctor Domenic A. Vavala Charitable Fund.

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