The Dauphin Island Sea Lab lost a good friend in the passing of volunteer Dominick Matranga. The former Alabama State District Court Judge dedicated his Thursdays for more than two decades to volunteering at the Alabama Aquarium.
Beginning the day the aquarium opened, Matranga enjoyed educating others about our local ecosystems. Some of his favorite areas of interest were animal behavior and the role of weather in our habitats.
In a newsletter article marking his 15 years as a volunteer, Matranga said, “Every day is a new experience. I enjoy the questions the schoolchildren come up with when they visit. And their eagerness to learn is wonderful.”
After COVID, Matranga made it a point to come back one more time to let us know he planned to retire from volunteering.
“He is missed around here on Thursday,” Docent organizer Jamelle Roy said. “He was a very knowledgeable and helpful volunteer to have around.”
Dr. John Dindo adds, "Dominick was a wonderful person and loved educating the public and kids about our environment. When he caught speckled trou,t he would keep them alive and bring them to the aquarium."
When Matranga wasn't volunteering, he enjoyed reading and fishing near Dauphin Island.