Don Lombardi, 83, died peacefully on Tue., Feb. 1, 2022, at The Inn at University Village in Massillon. He was born Sep. 12, 1938 in Akron to the late Enea “Neal” and Pasqualina “Pat” Lombardi.
Don graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1956 and then attended the University of Akron on a baseball scholarship. After graduating, he worked at Babcock and Wilcox (B&W) and Goodyear Aerospace as a contract administrator during the Vietnam War. He then attended law school at the University of Akron and obtained his Juris Doctor degree. He was appointed to the draft board by President Nixon during the war. Don became a prosecuting attorney in the cities of Akron and Barberton before going into private practice of law for 46 years.
Athletics were his life. He was honored by being elected into the Summit County Baseball Hall of Fame, Summit County Athletes Hall of Fame, and the University of Akron Varsity “A” Athletic Hall of Fame.
Almost every Cleveland Indians, Browns and Cavaliers game was watched by Don and, like many others, he “looked forward to next year” as all the Cleveland teams struggled yearly. He could regularly be found watching sports and saying his rosary at the same time.
Don enjoyed spending his weekends on the golf course with friends and family. A gifted dancer, he and his wife Sandy could easily draw a crowd while jitterbugging. He was well known for going above and beyond for those in need.
Don was a loving and caring man with an infectious personality. His sense of humor was epic as he could put a smile on just about anyone’s face. He bore many titles, but was first and foremost a family man. He would and did do anything for those he loved. He was adored by many and will remain loved and cherished in the memories and hearts of his family and loved ones. He was truly an original, charismatic, one of a kind, talented, intelligent and amazing man. He will be greatly missed.
Besides his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Sandy; brothers, Richard “Dick”, and Jon “Butchie” Lombardi. He is survived by his five daughters, Dani (Danny) Kendel, Darci Grogan, Dawn Lombardi-Mellinger, DeeNeal (Matt) Bonanno and Dana (Dickie) Kapper; grandchildren, Tia Terrell, DJ (Emily) and Niki Kendel, MacKenzie, Cody, and Kevie Grogan, Jacob, Jensen, and Jackson Mellinger, Bailee and Mattee Bonanno, Karanina (Blake) Foutty, Brooklyn (Cameron) Martin, and Sophie Kapper. great-grandchildren Nya Terrell, Jon “JD” Alexander and Danielle Kendel; and sisters-in-law Sondra Lombardi and Christine Lombardi.
Per Don’s request, cremation has taken place. Mass of a Christian Burial will be held at 11 A.M. on Friday, February 11, 2022 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 4019 Manchester Road, Akron, Ohio 44319. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of other remembrances, Don asked that memorials be made to Children's Memorial Hermann, 929 Gessner, Suite 2650, Houston, TX 77024, Please make any checks written out to MHF Children's - Fetal Center. To leave a special message online for the family, visit:
Schermesser
330.899.9107
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