Obituary
JOSEPH J. LOMBARDO 🇺🇸

Command Sergeant Major, United States Army (Retired), 42 years of service

January 18, 2024

Joseph J. Lombardo of Medford passed away with his family by his side on Thursday, January 18, 2024. He was 93. He was the beloved husband of 62 years to the late Irene A. Lombardo (McGrath).

Joseph Lombardo was born in Boston. Son to the late John and Josephine (Postizzi) Lombardo. Loving brother to the late John R. Lombardo.

Joseph was the loving father of John Lombardo of Medford, Maureen Lombardo, Esquire and her husband Charles Tacito of Medford, Diane Lombardo-Riva, Esquire and her husband Randall of Winchester, Joseph Lombardo and his wife Patricia of Raymond, NH and Thomas Lombardo, Esquire and his wife Sharon of Stoneham. Cherished grandfather to Michelle Grant, John Lombardo, Jr., Eric Lombardo, Marianne Pasqual, Maureen Tacito, Marina Riva, Renee Rodgers, Joseph Lombardo, Patricia Ellis, Christina Logel, Olivia Lombardo and Ross Lombardo. Loving great-grandfather to Shane, Sam and Spencer Grant, Jack and Alex Lombardo and Liam Ellis.

Joe was a graduate of Chelsea High School. He joined the military at a young age and served in the United States Army for 42 years. It was one of the greatest accomplishments of his life along with raising a family with his beautiful wife, Irene.

The start of Joe’s military career focused on Nike Ajax & Hercules missile training in Ft. Bliss, TX where he was stationed for many years. While in Texas he served as Section Chief. He was awarded a U.S. Army Commendation Medal for his section’s performance, and his unit was recognized as one of the “finest Air Defense Artillery units in the Command.”

Joe got promoted from Section Chief to First Sergeant, where he oversaw over 300 personnel. Next, he worked with the 101st Combat Engineers, followed by the 26th Calvary and 101st Engineering Battalion until he was promoted to Command Sergeant Major. Joe traveled to Ft Bliss Texas to study their military academy and helped form the Massachusetts Military Academy at Camp Edwards in Cape Cod. Joe had an accomplished career at the Academy. After 7 years, he was assigned to Ft Devens and then became State Quarter Master. He worked on missile sites (NORAD), military firearm sites and nuclear sites. During his career, he was also called to State Active Duty for Pope John Paul II and Queen Elizabeth’s historic visits to Boston. Joe proudly lived by the Army Values of a Soldier: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage.

At the very end of his career, he was assigned to the state security HQ. In 1990, Joe retired with an honorable discharge after 42 years of service to his country. When he retired, the U.S. Army awarded his wife with an award for his family’s sacrifice over the many years of his military career. Serving in the U.S. military set the stage for Joe’s outlook on life and left him with a unique appreciation for hard work, determination and character. Joe was very proud to have served his country for many years. His detailed military stories will be shared for many family generations to come. A few of the Medals Awarded to him include: The U.S. Army Commendation Medal, The U.S. Army Oak leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, The U.S Army Achievement Medal.

Upon his military retirement, he worked for many years at the West Roxbury Veterans Administration Medical Center as Supervisor of Engineering. Joe was a jack of all trades. He was a master auto mechanic, gourmet chef and expert gardener. He owned several homes and took pride in maintaining them over the years. He could fix or rebuild anything! If you needed advice figuring out a complex problem – Joe was the one to call. His ability to tackle any issue was admirable amongst his friends and family. He was a multi-talented man with vast analytical intelligence.

Joe’s summers were spent at his beach house in picturesque Point Independence, Onset, MA where he enjoyed boating, fishing, gardening and family time. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife Irene to Florida, California, Hawaii and Europe. Joe also had a lifelong love for classic cars. Joe was restoring a classic 1965 Ford Mustang, a 1976 Cadillac Deville and an antique Dodge truck well into his 90s. He could disassemble any auto or marine engine and meticulously reassemble it – making it work better than previously. He was truly one of a kind.

Visitation will be held on January 23, 2024 at 9:30am – 10:30am at the Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.), Somerville, MA, followed by a Mass of the Christian burial at St. Raphael Church at 11am on January 23, 2024, 514 High St., Medford, MA. Interment with Military Funeral Honors at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. (Masks are respectfully requested at the Calling Hours and Mass.) The funeral will be broadcast live via Zoom.

Joseph J. Lombardo will be honored for his devoted 42 years

Of service to our country with the United States Army

Honor Guard present to render his Full Military Honors

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in CSM Joseph Lombardo’s memory to The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) at https://www.dav.org/