Obituary of Dominic Le Croissette

Dominic Le Croissette, born May 11, 1977 in Farnborough, Kent, England, passed away in the presence of family on February 19, 2020 in Houston, Texas. Dom grew up in the small village of Limpsfield Chart in Surrey, attending the local schools of Beadles Lane, St. Mary’s and then finally Oxted County School. He left there in 1995 with top marks, great friends and a new sense of adventure. His early years were filled with the great outdoors, camp building and bike riding in the woods, kamikaze downhill go-karting, and caravanning holidays all over the UK and Europe. Dom met his best friend Tim on one camping trip to Dorset, and the mutual love of birding began. At the age of 17, he passed his driving test and would “borrow” his mum’s car to drive up and down the country visiting all the best birding sites. Dom graduated from Warwick University in Coventry, England in 1999 where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in French Studies. In the midst of a successful financial career in London, Dom read “The Alchemist” which inspired him to sell everything and find his destiny by traveling the world. Along with his destiny, Dom would find thousands of species of birds as he carefully documented his sightings in nearly 60 countries over his lifetime. In 2012, a birding trip through Central America gave Dom the sighting of his life when he met Jenna, the woman he would marry. After an intimate wedding in France and living briefly in Taiwan and Vietnam, a desire to be close to family brought the couple to Houston where they ultimately put down roots. Dom’s prior business experience and talent allowed him to excel as Director of Operations at Memorial Insurance Agency over a team he held dear. Serendipitously located near a wooded preserve, Dom often spent his weekday lunches birding in the urban sanctuary. Weekend trips around Texas were common as the self-proclaimed “eBird bird nerd” added to his checklists. In what would be his last trip, Dom spent his final weeks on earth in Panama birding alongside Tim. Dom will be remembered by all as a kind, gentle, patient, joyful and sensitive soul. He was quick with puns and loved a good joke. Really, he just loved. He was a doting and supportive husband, a caring family man and a loyal friend with a passion for the planet, politics and people. Dom embodied goodness. Preceded in death by his father-in-law, Ralph Longoria, Dom is survived by his “Bear” – the love of his life, Jenna Longoria; his parents, Wendy and Malcolm Le Croissette of Oxted, Surrey, England; his sister, Nicole Le Croissette and her wife, Lucy Bryce; as well as his nephew, Lucas Bryce-Le Croissette all from Dorking, Surrey, England. Dom is also survived by the family he married into – parents, Brenda Bradsher and Ken McCormack of Houston, Texas; Sylvia Longoria of Houston, Texas; siblings, Summer Stephenson and her husband, Robert Stephenson, of Richardson, Texas, Jacquelyn Longoria of Austin, Texas and Tommy Riley of Taipei, Taiwan; nephews, Jack Weber and Paul Weber of Richardson, Texas; along with numerous extended family members and countless beloved friends spanning the globe. It would be remiss not to mention Oliver, his miniature pinscher Dom affectionately referred to as “son.” A service to celebrate Dom's life will be held on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary in Houston, Texas. Parking and entry to the sanctuary is available in the lot of the Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77079. Avoid parking on Wilchester or in the sanctuary lot. Please dress comfortably for a celebration surrounded by nature. A reception immediately following the service for all who wish to attend will be held at 14117 Cardinal Lane, Houston, TX 77079. A second service will be held in England in early spring, details forthcoming. For those desiring, donations may be made to Houston Audubon or the Sierra Club.