John Christopher Lombardi, Sr.
January 24, 1951 – January 17, 2024
John Christopher Lombardi passed away January 17, 2024 at AccentCare Hospice in Dunedin Florida after a long illness at the age of 72. He was lovingly cared for over the past 16 years by his long-time partner and love of his life, Kathy (Kat Lambert). John will be remembered by numerous close friends from the VFW and AmVets, Jeff and Nancy Browning, Ricky Pendleton, Wendy Armstrong, Mattio, Marsha, and many other good friends who loved and cared for him, including the staff at AccentCare Hospice.
The day prior to his death the staff at AccentCare Hospice honored John with a Veterans pinning ceremony. The words, songs, and prayers were a stark reminder that freedom of press, freedom to demonstrate, freedom of speech and religion are all given due to the sacrifices of our veterans like John.
John was preceded in death by his father, Peter J. Lombardi, grandparents, Tony and Emma Lopardi, and John and Francesca DiBenedetto. He is survived by his significant other, his sweetheart, Kathy Lambert, his mother, Trudi Lombardi, sons Chris Lombardi (Jamie), Anthony Lombardi; and daughters, Stephanie Najera (Tony), Nicole Fletchers (Roger), and his grandchildren, Orion, Ariela, Lucious, Raven, Nick, Christian, Julia, Aiden, and Isaiah. Lastly, he is survived by his siblings Kim Lombardi, Lenore Lombardi (Barry Thompson), Garvin Lombardi (Liz Sudduth).
John enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 18, on July 22, 1969. He was stationed aboard the Destroyer Class USS New (DDE – 818) and served as an E5 and Navy Diver until July 21, 1975 when he was honorably discharged. He was also one of the rescue divers that recovered the Apollo 13 space capsule from the ocean when it returned to earth. He was very proud of his service to his country and loved to talk to other Veterans about their service, especially his father, Pete Lombardi, who served as a WWII Airborne veteran and who died on Memorial Day of 2023.
As a young boy, John was raised in Pasadena Maryland in the community of North Shore. It was there that his love of the outdoors and being with friends and on the water was cemented. In his prime John loved to hunt and fish. He was multi-talented, from owning a bar (Tumbleweeds), to owning a marine construction business. John was the chief engineer at the Belleview Biltmore Resort and Spa and was employee of the year for 4 years in a row. John was life long member of the AmVets and the VFW. John was also a previous Commander of the AmVets post 67 and loved serving in that capacity.
John will be remembered in a Celebration of Life at a date to be determined later __________________.
His expressed last wish was to be cremated and have his ashes scattered by Kat in significant locations dear to him.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to AmVet of Clearwater in memory of John C. Lombardi
