Domenico Terriaca first appears at Painesville, Lake County, Ohio, in 1907. When Domenico immigrated to the United States, Painesville, Ohio, was his destination.
Domenico Terriaca, son of Giovanni Terriaca and Nunziata Palangio, was born on February 7, 1879, at Frosolone, Isernia Province, Molise, Italy. He was baptized on February 7, 1879, at Frosolone. Domenico was the third of six children born to Giovanni Terriaca and Nunziata Palangio. Four of Domenico’s siblings passed away before their second birthday.
Domenico Terriaca immigrated to the United States on May 10, 1907, at age 28. He was travelling to Painesville, Lake County, Ohio. Domenico was joining his uncle, Giuseppe Palangio in Painesville. Domenico arrived in the United States at the Port of New York City aboard the ship SS Koenig Albert.
Domenico was living in Painesville, Ohio, in January, 1912, when his nephew, Donato Ciampitti, immigrated to the United States. Domenico Terriaca was second cousin, once removed, to Painesville Italian Pasquale Terriaca.
The known children of Domenico Terriaca are:
1. Felice Terriaca was born at Frosolone, Isernia Province, Molise, Italy. He was married to Carmina DiMarinus. Two children of Felice and Carmina immigrated to the United States in the 1950’s and settled in Painesville, Ohio. These grandchildren of Domenico Terriaca created two family owned and operated businesses: T & T Bakery of Painesville, Ohio; and Terriaco Suits of Mentor, Ohio.
The following article appeared in The News-Herald, 22 July 2014, proclaiming T & T Bakery bread as the official bread of Painesville:
The story never gets stale. John Terriaco moved to the United States from Italy in 1955 with his family. After he and his father worked in nurseries and factories they decided they wanted their own piece of the pie. In 1971 John and his wife, Evelina, learned how to bake bread and started selling it out of the abandoned gas station he bought near where his current Painesville business at 252 E. Erie St. still bakes about 600 loaves of bread a day. At the regular council meeting Monday, July 21, Painesville Council passed a proclamation institutionalizing T & T Bakery’s Italian loaf as the official bread of Painesville. The official wording was read aloud by council president Paul Hach. It stated T & T was a “part of the city’s identity and makes an impact on the community.”
Hach jokingly patted his stomach — implying it has seen its own share of bread of honor — as he read on: “The bakery has earned a devoted following in the community with Italian bread, mouth-watering donuts and rich cassata cakes.” The connection to Painesville goes back to 1907 when John’s grandfather Domenic visited the states from Italy. But eventually, it would become his grandchild’s home, where he would be immortalized with an honor for his work. John’s original business partners were his brother Alex and his sister-in-law Nicolina. Nicolina also happens to be Evelina’s sister. “When people come from Ashtabula and from Cleveland, they taste the bread and then they come back,” Evelina said at the bakery Monday evening. She moved to this country in 1963 from the same town as John — Froson, Italy, northeast of Naples. “I’m just so proud of my father,” John’s daughter Mary Terriaco said. “He’s worked hard his whole life, and this honor makes it worth it.” Mary’s twin brother, Felix, and their older brother Carmen are in the bakery every day, working to produce the baked goods that have become a staple in the community, now officially so.
There is someone from the family working in the bakery nearly 24 hours a day to prepare to hand-make the pepperoni rolls, bread, donuts, dinner rolls and other pastries. The action starts at 5 a.m. each day. “All the time involved and the family atmosphere,” are what Carmen said set the business apart. John said the family makes about 5,000 pounds of dough a week for wholesale customers including about 80 loaves that go to the Lake County Jail. “My dad never wanted to go into business with intentions of getting rich off of customers,” Felix said, according to the proclamation. “He just wanted to make something good that everybody liked for a fair price.”