Ave Maria University, Domino's founder Tom Monaghan celebrates 80th in N. Naples

Devout Catholic. Pizza mogul. Entrepreneur. Philanthropist.

Tom Monaghan, founder of Domino's Pizza, Ave Maria University, and Ave Maria School of Law, is a man of many titles.

An octogenarian is a first for him.

On Saturday, about 200 of his loved ones, friends, and colleagues celebrated his 80th birthday with a party fit for a king at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in North Naples.

Inside a ballroom, live big-band music serenaded guests, a grand birthday cake rolled out for Monaghan and there was plenty of dancing after dinner.

Every year, the Ave Maria School of Law hosts an end-of-the-year banquet. This time the school chose to celebrate Monaghan's birthday and donate the night's proceeds to the Thomas S. Monaghan Scholarship Fund for the Ave Maria School of Law, said Kevin Cieply, the school's president and dean.

"(Monaghan) is a true visionary and when he sets his mind to do something, he pursues it with such energy and enthusiasm it's contagious," Cieply said onstage to guests. "That is how he was when he was building Domino's, and that's how he continues to be today with Ave Maria School of Law."

When Monaghan took to the stage, he said he was overwhelmed and honored by the celebration

"All of this for me?" he asked.

Monaghan didn't brag about his accomplishments, but he thanked God for the opportunities he has had.

Dave Neill, former publisher of the Naples Daily News, was emcee for the event and bragged for Monaghan, listing his major milestones over the past 80 years. He also mentioned a funny moment in Monoghan's life when he mistakenly enlisted in the Marine Corps, thinking it was the Army.

Monoghan found success in business and education — and sports. He bought the Detroit Tigers baseball team in 1983; a year later, the team won the World Series. He sold the team in 1992.

Neill also shared another fact: Monaghan met his wife, Marjorie, while delivering Domino's pizza to her dorm at Central Michigan University.

"You won't meet many humans who have touched more people than my friend Tom," he said.

He raised his glass to Monaghan and added, "Happy birthday, my friend."

Guests later watched a short video recounting the story of Monaghan's life, obstacles and achievements. In the video, a few of his colleagues and friends who couldn't make it to the celebration wished him a happy birthday.

"I thank God for your 80 years, Tom. You've been a gift to the Catholic family of the United States," said Timothy Cardinal Dolan, archbishop of New York.

Harry Silverman, a former Domino's chief financial officer, couldn't say enough about his more than two-decade-long friendship with Monaghan.

"You've been such a great mentor to me, as well as so many others at Domino's Pizza," he said. "You had such a strong and powerful influence in so many people's lives."

Another one of Monaghan's accomplishments? His family, he said. He and his wife have four daughters, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.