Dr. Ivo Domínguez-Rodríguez

Dr. Ivo Domínguez-Rodríguez, loving husband, father, and devoted grandfather, died peacefully on April 18, 2025, in Newark, DE, with his loving family by his side. Ivo was born on October 10, 1930 in Palma Soriano, Cuba to the late Clemente and Julia (Rodríguez) Domínguez. He lived in Santiago de Cuba for ten years where he studied and completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree at the Instituto of Santiago and a Doctoral Degree in Civil and Business Law at the University of Oriente. He practiced law for five years until the dictator Fidel Castro closed the law schools and declared lawyers potential enemies of the Cuban Revolution. Ivo was accused of being a counter revolutionary and without any trial he was put in jail, and the Cuban government as a collateral penalty confiscated his law firm, his properties and everything of value that he owned at that time. He was released from prison in June of 1961 and soon after, in July 1961, he left Cuba for Madrid, Spain where his parents were living. He decided to emigrate with his family to the USA and arrived in New York City in late September of 1961. He moved to Tampa, FL in 1962 where he worked and studied at the University of South Florida and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Literature in 1965. From 1965 until 1970 he resided in Tallahassee, FL where he did Graduate Studies at Florida State University, receiving a Master’s Degree in 1967 and a Ph.D. in Spanish Literature in 1969. In 1970 Ivo was hired by the University of Delaware as a professor of Spanish Language and Literature, teaching upper level courses on “Medieval Spanish”, “Prose and Lyric Poetry of the Spanish Golden Age”, Miguel de Cervantes “Don Quijote”, and courses on “Culture and Civilization of Spain”. He authored two books on Cervantes’ “Don Quijote” and his “Novelas Ejemplares”. He published several articles in periodicals from the USA, Spain, England, México, and Uruguay. He also gave numerous lectures on the Literature, Culture, and Civilization of Spain and Latin America in national and international conferences. Ivo was a pioneer in Study Abroad Programs and during his tenure at the University of Delaware he developed and initiated both the full semester and winter session programs in Spain, Costa Rica, and México. Ivo was an avid reader of literature and history throughout his life. His main hobbies were traveling and collecting newly issued USA stamps, but he also enjoyed watching sports such as football, basketball, and baseball. After his arrival in Delaware he became a loyal fan of the UD football team, attending all home games and travelling to most of the away games. He was an active member of the Blue Hens Touch Down Club and the Basketball Club of UD. Ivo retired in 2000 after 30 years of teaching and service to the University of Delaware and decided to stay in Newark to be close to his beloved daughter Carmen, his grandchildren Brett and Brooke, and his son-in-law, friend, and football companion Bruce Finnicum. Ivo was married to Carmen Barrueco Domínguez with whom he shared 48 years of marriage. They were inseparable and completely devoted to each other. Their love story began when they were neighbors as children, and it continued until she was called in 2005 to be with God in his heavenly kingdom. Ivo’s grandchildren were a great source of love, pride, and a constant pleasure, and he enjoyed each of their accomplishments. In addition to his parents and his wife, he was predeceased by his brothers, Rentilio, Israel, Radamés Domínguez, and his sister Isla Ferret. Ivo will be sadly missed by his daughter Carmen Finnicum and her husband Bruce of Newark and his sister Ivia Junco of Tampa, FL. He is also survived by his two grandchildren, Brett and Brooke, his nieces and nephews, and many dear friends. The church service and internment will be held privately. A celebration of life for Ivo will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ivo’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online by clicking here.

Dr. Ivo Domínguez-Rodríguez

October 10, 1930 - April 18, 2025