In Memory of

Donald

A.

Lombardi

Obituary for Donald A. Lombardi

Donald A. Lombardi, 87, of Fayetteville, passed away on Sunday, February 12, at Hospice of Jefferson County, Watertown, NY, after a brief illness. Born May 21, 1929 in Syracuse, son of Anthony Lombardi and Anna Mercurio Lombardi, Donald attended area schools and graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in 1948. He continued his education at LeMoyne College, graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.
Donald was a member of the Naval Reserves after high school serving on ships along the east coast as a Seaman 2nd class. He joined the Air National Guard 108th Aircraft Control and Warning Flight unit, serving first as a corporal and ending his career as Tech Sargent. Donald was called up during the Berlin Crisis in 1962, and was stationed at Sembach, Germany.
In 1950, Donald married his beloved wife Shirley Marie Rolfe of Syracuse. Married for 62 years, he lived his entire married life in Fayetteville, residing in various locations in and around the village.
Skiing and boating were life-long passions. Donald began boating in the early 1960s, owning a succession of cabin cruisers he kept on the St. Lawrence River until he retired from boating in 1989. An avid skier, Donald learned to ski in 1963, finally hanging up his skiis in 2014 at the age of 85. He was an accomplished woodworker, refinishing several antique boats and creating a multitude of furniture pieces and toys for his children and grandchildren.
Donald began his business life at Joseph Cashier & Co. working until it closed in 1980. He then became a small business owner, working until his retirement in 2005.
As accomplishments, Donald was most proud of marrying his beautiful wife Shirley and of producing a wonderful family.
Donald is survived by his children Lisa (Jack) LaRue, Clayton, NY, Matthew Lombardi, San Anselmo, CA, Laura (Chuck) Mills, Swanzey, NH, several grandchildren and great grandchildren, and his sister Gloria McGarry, Syracuse. He was predeceased by his sweetheart Shirley, a son Mark, and an infant daughter, Linda.
A Memorial Mass will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21, at Immaculate Conception Church, 400 Salt Springs Street, Fayetteville. There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Donald's memory to Hospice of Jefferson County, Francis House, or The Jimmy Fund of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.