YOUNGSTOWN Dominico Giacomo "Dom" Tocco, a beloved Ohio bandleader and singer who entertained audiences for more than six decades, died late last week after a long battle with cancer. He was 77.

Tocco, best known as the frontman for the popular group Dom Tocco and the Brotherhood, was born Oct. 8, 1947. His death comes after nearly two years of publicly chronicling his fight with throat cancer, which had spread to his lungs.

Tocco was a fixture in the local and regional music scene, with his band known for its versatility in playing everything from traditional Italian favorites to modern pop. The Brotherhood performed across northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania, often headlining Italian American and city festivals, including the Brier Hill festival, which Tocco had performed at since its inception.

Throughout his illness, Tocco openly shared his medical journey and thoughts on social media. In an October post on his 77th birthday, he thanked supporters and noted that doctors initially did not expect him to survive that long, saying "with all your prayers, I'm still okay."

In another post this past February, he reflected on the impact of his illness and the support he received.

"I always thought when a person was out of sight, they were out of mind, but you’ve proved me wrong, and I really appreciate everyone checking on me," Tocco wrote. "I’m fighting this every day, praying that someday I can get back to some form of normality in my life."

Tocco announced on Facebook in March 2024 that his last performance would be in April of the same year.

As of late Monday morning, funeral arrangements were still pending with Rossi Brothers and Lellio Funeral Home on South Avenue in Boardman.