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Assistant Headmaster for Business Affairs by Vera Dickey AP may suggest Associated Press to some readers today, but from 1964-1985 at the Sidwell Friends School, AP stood for Ask Paul. It seems that everyone associated with the School: students and alumni and their parents, faculty, administrators, staff members, and trustees - sooner or later had occasion to seek answers to some of their questions from Paul H. Domincovich, a SFS trustee in 1962-63 who became the school's Business Manager, then the Business Manager and Coordinator of Development, and finally the Assistant Headmaster for Business Affairs. He remained an interested, active trustee through the years. Paul's office was on the second floor of Zartman House, but his responsibilities covered both the Wisconsin Avenue and the Edgemoor campuses. He was strongly and ably supported by two administrative assistants: Della LeSure and Henry Hall. Della was usually seen with a bill of lading in one hand and a pencil in the other as she and Henry checked on books and other supplies ordered for the school. They were delivered to Henry's quarters on the lower floor of Zartman House, which opened out to the terrace, with the athletic playing field below. Henry would agree that the support he received from Paul enabled him to help the faculty and staff with their needs for supplies. Reflecting on his years in Zartman House, Henry said "Paul is a very fine, very gentle man who always takes time to help others." Henry himself was known for his even temperament and cordial spirit. Many were the calls from faculty, staff members and parent and alumni volunteers that invariably began with, "Oh, Henry! That's a candy bar!" and ended with a chuckle. He was indeed pleased to help in any way. HELPING OTHERS IS A FAMILY TRAIT The senior Domincovich family members provided a sturdy background for Paul's direction: His parents taught English and Latin at Germantown Friends, and his sister, Ruth, taught Spanish at Drew University. Paul and Ruth attended Germantown Friends School from kindergarten until they entered college: Haverford and Radcliffe, respectively. Paul's major was Relief and Reconstruction Administration and prepared him for his job with the United National Relief and Reconstruction Administration in Washington, D.C., from 1945-49, following World War II. From 1949-64, he was supervisor of data processing at the United Mine Workers Welfare and Retirement Fund. Work was not the only place where Paul used his considerable energies. In 1962 he became a member of the Sidwell Friends Board of Trustees, and in 1963 he joined the Overseers Committee of Friends Meeting of Washington and became a trustee of Friends House retirement home in Sandy Spring, Maryland. At that time, Sidwell Friends was actively working to establish a stronger Quaker connection. Frank Barger, Sr., had taken over as acting Headmaster while the Board of Trustees searched for a permanent replacement for John Colbaugh, the former Head. Richard Sheahan, the business manager recruited by Colbaugh, resigned and was replaced by Paul Domincovich, who left the Board to take the post. His background in finance and the fact that he was a birthright Quaker made him the perfect person for the job. It was Paul's job to provide a steady hand and prudent stewardship during difficult financial times. A year later he offered a warm welcome to his boyhood friend, Bob Smith, who had just been named the new headmaster. Through the years, Paul has received support from a native of Iowa: Faye Faust Domincovich, of South English, Iowa. She also lived in Westgate and Rayville and, while in business school in Rayville, she took a test for government employment, which led to her arrival in Washington, D.C. in 1946. Faye worked for the Veterans Administration and the Export-Import Bank before joining the Sidwell Friends Finance Office. Faye and Paul were married in 1947, and their children, Mark and Diane, were graduated from Sidwell Friends in 1972 and 1974, respectively. Mark and his wife, Lynde Glody, have two sons, Mark,Jr., now in college, and Thomas, a high school student. Diane and Joseph Giuliani were married in 1999. All live in the Washington, D.C. area. In his so-called retirement, Paul continues his lifelong pattern of contributing to his community, which, since 1985 has been Bucksport, Maine. It comes as no surprise that his service continues to receive appreciation and notice as he serves on the boards of Bucksport Regional Health Center and the Bucksport Area Child Care Center. In 1997, Paul received the Outstanding Community Service Award from the Bucksport Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. As Henry Hall said, Paul always takes time to help others.
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Last revised 5/24/2005 |
