November 11, 1966 – September 17, 2020
Dominique Stephenson was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies on November 11, 1966, the older son of Dr. Ronald and Camille Stephenson. Dom, as he was known by family and friends, died Thursday, September 17, 2020, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as a result of complications due to the COVID-19 virus, after a relatively short stay in a local hospital. His beloved wife, Kathy Utley Stephenson, held his hand, as Dom passed from this world to be with his ancestors.
The Stephenson family settled in Madison, Wisconsin, when Dom was twelve. Immediately after graduating from Memorial High School, he joined the US Navy and served on the Kitty Hawk-class supercarrier, the USS Constellation, for six years. His service fed his lifelong fascination with all things aviation and world travel.
Dom loved all things in the aquatic environment. He was a world-class windsurfer who also loved sailing, surfing and paddle-boarding, swimming, snorkeling, and SCUBA diving. He felt at home in the oceans and virtually all bodies of water. His automobile license plates expressed his love of water-related endeavors: WET FUN. Dom was proud of his Trinidadian roots and his island people warmly embraced him.
Following his military service, he returned to Madison and chose jobs that gave him the flexibility to chase his avocation around the world. He took his boards to lakes, rivers, and oceans, most notably on a surfing expedition to the Columbia River Gorge (Oregon) with his younger brother Pierre. Dom was a carefree adventurer who was always up for a road trip to someplace he hadn’t been before.
Among those flexible jobs were pizza delivery, landscape maintenance, and parking enforcement for the City of Madison. While working as a cab driver, Dom met the love of his life, Kathy Utley, and they began an eight-year-long friendship that culminated in marriage and gathered in all of Kathy’s children and grandchildren, as his own. He shared with them his delight in sci-fi movies, his fondness for Caribbean music, his zest for outdoor adventure, his tender affection for his cats, and his concern for all living creatures. Also, Dom was an avid gardener.
Dominique and his brother Pierre shared an extremely strong bond between them. Among the attributes loved by Pierre, Dom’s family and his friends were Dom’s goofy side, his warm sense of humor, and his incredible smile. He enfolded his family in love and encouragement. He was a profoundly good man of strong principles and generous spirit, loved for his enormous heart and warm hugs.
Left behind are Dom’s loving wife Kathy Utley Stephenson, his parents Dr. Ronald and Camille Stephenson; his brother Pierre Stephenson (sons Connor and Ty); and his friend Jan Rosandick. He also leaves behind his step-children and grandkids, Jennifer Raziq (daughters Rubi and Azrah), Sarah Utley (Jim Wells and daughter Olivia; Najeeb Ullah, daughter Vivian, and son Taifur), and Bryan Utley (partner, Timothy Daly)
An online celebration of Dom’s life is being organized and will be announced at a later date.
In place of flowers and in honor of Dom, Please Go Vote for Joe Biden!
Jody Mc
3 Oct 2020Wonderful tribute!
Paul Baker
3 Oct 2020Condolences goes out to anyone who has been touched by Dom during his life. Great person. He will be missed.
Diane
6 Oct 2020I’m meeting him for the first time, now, Paul. What a blessing you have to have known him personally ? Some beautiful souls will shine their light and love long after their body lies down to rest. ?
Thank God for this man! He is a reminder and role model for me of living a principled life with a focus on goodness and love
Ken, June, Rachel and Dylan
3 Oct 2020On behalf of the Virnig family, please accept our condolences Camille, Ron and Pierre. Dominic was a beautiful human being who loved life and nature. Always had a smile and an easy going nature. May his soul rest in peace.
Sharon Caruth-Thomas
5 Oct 2020On behalf of Camille’s Argyle waterfall crew, I extend heartfelt condolences to Camille, Ron and Pierre. Never met Dominique in person but knew he meant the world to his family. May his free spirit rest in peace and his family find comfort in the love they shared.
Camille Stephenson
23 Oct 2020Sharon thank you and all at Argyle waterfall. Dom, loved Tobago and all levels of the waterfalls.
Tank you to everyone in ?? Tobago.
Camille Stephenson
11 Nov 2020Sharon and our waterfall family, today would have been Dom’s 54th birthday.
Although sad for us, he lived a full life.
Travelled the world, never hurt anyone or anything. We are very proud to have had him for 54 yrs. Now we focus on Dom’s first love, his also wonderful brother Pierre.
Lois Lancaster
3 Oct 2020Oh Dom may you rest in peace. I am so proud to have been able to call you neighbor. Your smile was infectious. A warm and caring person.
Camille Stephenson
23 Oct 2020Hello Lois,
This is the toughest struggle yet.
Thank you for caring.
Rhonda Gaudreau
3 Oct 2020Such a beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul…may all who loved him feel his presence every day and may his memory be a blessing?❤?
Anonymous
3 Oct 2020I love Dom! The countless hours spent with him, windsurfing on the same water and lounging on the same beaches are truly cherished and forever with me. Dom was a warm and bright light in this world. And my life is eternally enriched because he was my friend. God bless you, Dominique Stephenson.
Camille Stephenson
23 Oct 2020Remember the waves.
Pam Swan
3 Oct 2020So sorry he was taken away so soon. Just from his photos I get a sense of his joyful personality. He will be greatly missed, I’m sure. You can count on Paul and I to think of Dominique as we deliver our Biden ballots. My deepest sympathy for you all.
Pam Swan
Maria Cleaveland
3 Oct 2020Kathy – Thank you so much for sharing with me about your wonderful husband Dom today! He has an amazing spirit and I’ll make sure about his wishes with my friends and family.
Terese Berceau
6 Oct 2020Kathy, I can’t believe this! I am horrified and saddened. I know you were very much in love and I am so sorry for this tragedy in your life. I can’t imagine your heartbreak. Much love to you.
Sandie Kisting
6 Oct 2020Condolences. Yes this is a real pandemic. Yes this is unnecessary tragedy.
Prayers for you and your family ????
Peg Herdt
6 Oct 2020My Sincerest Condolences from northern Wisconsin.
VOTE BLUE 2020!!
Joan Parker
6 Oct 2020So very sorry for your loss of a very good soul. Will pray for you and your family.
Maria Varela
6 Oct 2020Deepest condolences. I voted for Joe Biden and honor Dom in doing so.
Anonymous
7 Oct 2020I will vote for Biden. I am so sorry for your loss – he was special.
Barbara Smith
7 Oct 2020I am so sad for you all but applaud your courage to put your grief out there for us all to see. Bless You and 8645110320???????
Theresa Wernecke
7 Oct 2020What a beautiful soul. I can’t imagine how much you must miss him. To all of his family and friends, take care and stay healthy. Btw, I already voted Biden.
Linda Morris
7 Oct 2020I didn’t know you, Dom but I truly wish I could’ve.
The life you lead was exciting, honest and loving.
My deepest, heartfelt condolences to your family and friends and to all who had the privilege of knowing who you really were.
Mike
7 Oct 2020To the family, may you find peace
Rest in paradise Dom, God bless all that knew and loved you.
Maria Castillo
7 Oct 2020My condolences.. I do not Dom.. but as I cast my vote for our next president Mr. Joe Biden.. I will be thinking of him .. RIP
Rubio
7 Oct 2020The tribute to Mr. Stephenson speaks volume of a life well lived. May your beautiful energy surround your family and friends and shield them during these very difficult times.
Anonymous
7 Oct 2020I do not know you, Dom, but I respect your wish and I will think of you and Kathy when I vote for Joe Biden on Oct 20th
Terrie
7 Oct 2020Dear Kathy and Family, I send my condolences to you, and in Dom’s memory, I will cast my vote for Joe Biden.
Michelle
7 Oct 2020I am so very sorry for your loss of Dom. Thank you for sharing Dom with those who did not know him personally. The kind of guy I’d love to get to know. May he rest in eternal peace. And may you, his loving family, find solace in great memories of your time with him.
Sandy Soletski
7 Oct 2020You have my deepest sympathy.
Lynn
7 Oct 2020So sorry that this happened. I will be voting in honor of your husband. Prayers to you and your family.
Sandra
7 Oct 2020So sorry that this happened. I will be voting in honor of your husband. Prayers to you and your family.
Anonymous
7 Oct 2020I am from Puerto Rico and feel the hurt in this post? May he rest in peace and continue to ride the waves as he loved .My deepest condolences to the family .May God clutch thier hearts and comfort them.Blessings!
Gladys Silva
7 Oct 2020My condolences in last comment without a name is mine
Valerie Machuca
7 Oct 2020I’m seeing this from across the pond. I don’t know you and I hope you don’t mind me sending this, but your beautiful tribute to this wonderful man has really touched my heart and soul. Your Dom was a shining light in this world, full of love, light, joy, fun and warmth. What an incredible human being. I send you my sincere condolences, love and my hope for a brighter future for us all. If I could vote there it would be as your Dom wished. The best I can do is pledge to work to get rid of our own awful version of 45 in solidarity with our American cousins. Love, light and hope to you and yours xxx
Anonymous
7 Oct 2020So sorry for your loss. What a tragic thing to happen. Your life was so blessed till the end. I am Canadian, so voting isn’t an option but I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Jennifer Melton
7 Oct 2020I do not know you personally, but it is clear to see how great of a person you were and the many lives you touched. I thank you for your service to our country and for making this world a better place. I am so sorry that you lost your life to this pandemic. I will be casting my vote for Biden in honor of you and the 210,000+ others who have lost their lives. Praying for comfort and strength for the family at this difficult time. May you rest in peace.
Trish Walden
7 Oct 2020I’m so heartbroken that this wonderful man is no longer here with us. Sending love and prayers to his family!! My whole family will be voting for Joe Biden as soon as possible when the polls open.
Mandy
7 Oct 2020I’m so sorry for your loss. My prayers and love go out to you and your family.
Anonymous
7 Oct 2020Heartfelt condolences, Kathy, to you and entire family. R.I.P. Beautiful Dom.
Laura Jackson
7 Oct 2020My condolences to you and your family. Dom…my vote for BIDEN/HARRIS will be in honor of you
Donna Carbonetti
7 Oct 2020I read Mary’s tribute on Jersey for Joe Biden…I double everything that she said… I will vote for Joe in memory of your dear husband…My prayers are with you
Shelley Casey
7 Oct 2020Sending sincerest sympathy from New Zealand. If I could vote for Joe Biden, I absolutely would. I want you to know, your beloved husband is not a number. I see you. I see him, and I feel the loss personally.
Kathy Kane
7 Oct 2020To Dom’s family
He must have been an amazing person whose love of life and family will give you a lifetime of memories, smiles and in time laughter. I wish I had known him. I pray your memories will give you comfort through this devastating time.
Mary
7 Oct 2020My heart is breaking for you and your family. He must have been one special son, brother, husband, father and friend. I salute him as a veteran. May he rest in God’s arms and May you and your family find peace knowing he isn’t suffering anymore.
God bless you.
David Allan Todd
7 Oct 2020What an amazing spirit. You were lucky to have him in your lives. May his spirit live forever in your hearts.
D ziegler
8 Oct 2020Sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family.
Tim
8 Oct 2020Loving and caring story. I never met Mr. Stephenson but just by reading his story I feel like lve known his for a liftime. My Condolences to you and may your awesome rest in heaven.
Gwendolyn Wright
8 Oct 2020Beautiful Tribute sorry for your loss
Maxine Johnson
8 Oct 2020So sorry for your loss! Thank you for sharing! I will vote Biden/Harris.
Anonymous
9 Oct 2020His life was a very powerful statement of his kindness. Thank you for sharing it and posting this tribute. I have done as requested… I voted BIDEN & HARRIS.
Anonymous
9 Oct 2020rest in peace brave man.
Andrea Gentry
9 Oct 2020So sorry for your loss. I did not know him, and do not know any of you, but I say prayers for you all. He sounds like a wonderful man. And I will go vote for Joe Biden, for him, for you, and for everyone who has been affected by covid.
B Reveglia
9 Oct 2020Such a celebratory tribute to a wonderful man. I did not know you, but wish I did. Rest In Peace. I’m voting for Joe ?
Janice Cunningham
9 Oct 2020So sorry for your loss. I wish , as others, to have known your husband as he gave his service to our country.
May God comfort you and give you HIS peace
Jennifer l Wines-Ruff
9 Oct 2020Prayers for your family. Heartfelt love!
Anonymous
12 Oct 2020Much love and prayers for this beautiful and great man.
Anonymous
13 Oct 2020I don’t know this family, but loved his story! So glad his short life was filled with love and adventure. Rest well dear man.
Monique Karlen
18 Oct 2020Thank you for sharing this tribute Kathy. I learned things about Dom that I didn’t know. I still can’t believe this is all happening and I think of you daily. When I turn in my ballot for Joe Biden I will do it honoring Dom. Love you Kathy.
Camille Stephenson
23 Oct 2020We, his parents and brother, have had the strength to respond to all the words of comfort for us and his wonderful wife Kathy, their children and grand kids.
We all thank you so very much and our wish to you all, when you pass that homeless person on the street, say hello. It does not take much in life to let them know, you see them. They are not invisible. They belong to the same race as all of us. HUMAN.
Dom would love that. Take care and love each other, please. Camille & Ron
Sarah Utley
30 Oct 2020Dom I hear your laugh and see the huge smile on your face daily in my memories since you have left us. My gratitude for the way you loved my mother, all of us and my children is immense. You were our family and you were so proud to be. We were incredibly blessed to have you. We will be forever changed because of your presence in our lives, and this world will never be the same without you. Love you Dom
Kathy Utley
30 Oct 2020Grateful Greetings to all who left such lovely tributes and comments in honor of Doms life.
He was the love of my life and deeply loved me in a way that I will always be grateful for. I will love him forever and hold him in my heart each and every moment of my life.
Sincerely,
Kathy Utley Stephenson
Mrs. Dominique Stephenson
Jenny Raziq
30 Oct 2020I haven’t been able to write anything yet because I don’t want it to be real. I miss you so much. You were such an awesome man in our lives. I remember talking about Sci-Fi shows with you and we always would laugh and have a good time. You were so loving and kind to my mother and children. Miss you soul surfer.
Christine Jaspers
30 Oct 2020Kathy, Sarah, Jenny, Bryan and all those who love Dom,
May you be there for each other now and in this empty space which misses this beautiful soul.
May you never stop fighting for truth and all that is good.
We are all woven together in this pain.
I am honored to mourn this tragic loss with you.
We will none of us forget.
All my love, Christine Jaspers
Kathy Utley, Mrs. Stephenson
31 Oct 2020On behalf of my family, we want to thank all the good people at the Shrine of Remembrance. They came highly recommended to us and we are grateful for helping us through our journey.
Dom was a very special man who was deeply loved by his family and friends. Dom and I shared a wonderful eight years of love and one year of marriage. I hold him in my heart and cherish his memory.
Dom cared about this earth, our oceans and our mountains. He cared about our furry friends and wildlife. He cared for all creatures and children too.
Today, in memory of my husband Dominique Stephenson, the cats and I will hand out treats for the children of our neighborhood.
Love to you all!
Kathy Utley
Mrs. Stephenson
Alice Malacara
3 Nov 2020I am saddened to learn of Dom’s death. I worked with Dom for a time in Madison and remember great conversations with him, his eternal optimism and plans for the future. I know he had struggles with his health, which he handled with grace. Please accept my condolences, and yes I voted Biden/Harris.
Kathy Utley Stephenson
5 Nov 2020Thank you so much, Alice. He was a wonderful man and we miss him every day.
Camille Stephenson
11 Nov 2020Sharon and our waterfall family, today would have been Dom’s 54th birthday.
Although sad for us, he lived a full life.
Travelled the world, never hurt anyone or anything. We are very proud to have had him for 54 yrs. Now we focus on Dom’s first love, his also wonderful brother Pierre.
MPD Officer
17 Dec 2020So very sorry to hear this. I remember Dom very well when I worked in patrol for MPD. One funny story that sticks with me…he had been ticketing a semi for illegal parking in a residential area. He called patrol over because he insisted the driver was up in the adjacent apartment building and had just thrown a chicken wing at him from the balcony about four stories up. He was livid. While there was evidence on the ground, I was unable to find the culprit. Parking enforcement takes a lot of heat at times, and on rare occasion, chicken wings. Dom was a nice guy, and though I really didn’t know him that well, I am very sorry to hear he passed away – especially under these circumstances. My condolences to his family and friends, who clearly adore him.
Dean Baldukas
17 Dec 2020I am a retired MPD officer, who was fortunate to work with Dom. Dom always had a smile, and would take time to talk. The world needs more people like Dom. May his memory be eternal.
LUIS YUDICE
18 Dec 2020What a wonderful person. I’m certain he brightened the lives of those who were fortunate enough to have known him. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.