Ansonia High names cafeteria after nutrition program director

Unveiling of sign at AHS cafeteria./ Contributed photo

ANSONIA – A dedication ceremony, honoring Dominick Golia, director of the Nutrition Program for Ansonia Public Schools, was held Jan. 20 at Ansonia High School. 
Nearly 100 family, friends and colleagues watched as Mr. Golia’s family unveiled a new sign on the AHS cafeteria, now named the Dominick Golia Cafeteria.

Golia has been serving the Ansonia Public Schools for nearly 50 years, first as a science teacher at AHS and more recently as head of the nutrition program for the district. 

The Board of Education voted unanimously at its November 2015 meeting to name the cafeteria at AHS in his name, honoring him for a lifetime of service to the children of Ansonia. 

Dr. Carol Merlone, Superintendent of Schools, served as Master of Ceremonies. 
Mayor David S. Cassetti and Board President William Nimons delivered welcoming remarks. Guest speakers were Wilhemenia Christon, retired principal of AHS, and Dominick Golia, Golia's son.

Golia was born and raised in New Haven, graduated from Providence College with a Bachelor of Science degree, awarded a Master of Arts from SCSU and a sixth-year degree from the University of Bridgeport. Prior to coming to Ansonia, he taught school in Seymour and ran a family business.

In 1966, Golia moved to Trinidad, an island located off the coast of Venezuela. 
Three years later, he returned home to teach science at Ansonia High School. He is responsible for bringing in the school district’s first computer system. 

Golia speaks at dedication ceremony in
his honor. With him is Dr. Carol Merlone.

One day in the late 1990s, the late Ruth Feinberg Connors assigned Golia as the new food services director. He retired in June 1998 and began his new part-time position.

Golia is credited with building a self-sustaining nutrition department that serves thousands of meals each school day in Ansonia’s four schools. 

Two years ago, he began a free dinner program at the Boys & Girls Club in Ansonia and now serves 150 meals each day, five days a week. During the summer, his program provides free breakfast and lunch for children in nearly 20 locations throughout the region. This year, he rolled out a Universal Breakfast Program in the two elementary schools, feeding every child - regardless of their eligibility for free or reduced priced meals.

In addition to his many acts of community support, Golia is Ansonia’s homeless liaison and serves on several committees, including the district technology council, the Ansonia Youth Service Bureau, the VITAHLS committee, and the Valley Council Food Security Task Force, which published the Valley Hunger Study in 2015. 

“Those who know Dominick know that he is a gentle man with a heart of gold who loves to make a grand entrance wherever he goes,” Gary Merlone wrote in his letter to the Ansonia Board of Education in November. 
“His generosity to fundraisers for Ansonia community members, in addition to items that he has purchased for our Ansonia students, is truly a testament to his character.”

A reception in the cafeteria followed the unveiling of the sign.

This is a press release from Ansonia Public Schools.