Obituary of Allan J Bombard

Allan Bombard (Lyman) Allan Joseph Bombard, 89, died in his home as he had wished on Monday, April 2, 2012. Al was born on July 18, 1922 in Brushton, NY and following WWII moved to Endicott to study at Triple Cities College (Syracuse University Extension) on the GI Bill. While working as a "soda jerk" at McConnon's Drugstore, he met and married Marilyn VanGorder ("Get a mate in '48") and lived in Endicott the remainder of his years. He was employed by the Union Forging Company and later retired as a Contracts Manager from General Electric. Al was very proud of his military service. He enlisted in the Army four days after Pearl Harbor and served his country as a member of the 101st Airborne Division, the Screaming Eagles, jumping into both the D-Day Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He earned numerous medals and citations including the Bronze Star and the Distinguished Service Medal with one Oakleaf Cluster. Following his discharge from active service, he continued in the National Guard, retiring with rank of Major. His most memorable trip was his return as a guest of the French government to celebrate the 50th anniversary of D-Day. Al's civic and community service included: Village of Endicott Light Commission, Board of Elections, VFW, American Legion, BPOE Elks, MOAA, AARP, and surprising and delighting both children and adults with his visits as Santa, including many years on the Endicott Christmas parade float. As a 59-year member of the Union Presbyterian Church he served as Deacon, Elder, Youth Group Advisor, and fund-raiser. He will be remembered for gifting a generation of children with home-grown marigolds each Children's Day. In his able years, Al was known in the neighborhood for his daily walks with Mollie, his beloved beagle, endless hours in the backyard vegetable garden greeting you with a smile and a zucchini, and sidewalk snow removal for all! Allan is survived by three daughters: Sally Kwiatkowski, Allegany, NY (grandchildren Marilyn and Joseph, great-grandchildren Gavin, Samantha, and Cameron), Claire Bombard, Endicott and friend Frank Roma, and Pamela and Robert Greco, Wakefield MA (grandchildren Annabel, Elena, and Genevieve). He is also survived by a niece, Judith Cary, Kent, WA. Allan's wife of 63 years predeceased him in September 2011. The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to his in-home caregivers Kimberly, Cindy, Lynne, JoAnne, Keitha, Tim and Henry, and for the invaluable presence of the VA which allowed Al to stay at home these last challenging years. Interment with full military honors will take place at Riverside Cemetery, 400 Mersereau Ave., Endicott on Saturday, April 7, at 10 a.m. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at the Union Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Main St., Endicott with the Rev. Jeff Kellam and the Rev. Patricia Raub officiating. The family will receive friends at Coleman and Daniels Funeral Home, 300 E. Main St., Endicott on Friday, April 6 from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Union Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund or to the Disabled American Vets, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati OH 45250-0301, Attn: Gift Processing.