In Loving Memory

Ettore John Lombardi, Jr.

July 11, 1928 – November 6, 1997

Disabled American Veteran United States Army & United States Air Force

World War II & Korea

Loving Father & Grandfather

Ettore John Lombardi, Jr. was born to Edith and Ettore Lombardi, Sr. (more commonly known as Edward) on July 11, 1928 in the Bronx, New York. He was their second child. Their firstborn son, Raymond, had died at the age of 4 from polio before Ettore was born. His father had 3 older children, a girl named Dorothy, and twins Hilda and Eddie, from his first marriage, which left him widowed at age 21. Young Ettore was baptized by the name Hector, and it is by that name that he is counted on the 1930 United States census. His parents, grandmother, aunts and uncles all called him Sonny.

Ettore is on the right with his Scoutmaster on the left.

Ettore (left) with his father in his Boy Scout uniform.
Photo taken in the 40's.

Ettore doesn't look old enough to drive here, does he? Then again, who knows what the legal age to drive was back then.

Ettore always liked to drive fast and had many fast cars, including a Jaguar that he wrecked racing. Since he had very long legs, he preferred large cars.

Ettore was very tall for his age. At one point when he was a teenager the New York Knicks offered to sign him to a contract solely on the basis of his height - he could not shoot a basket at all. He did not accept the offer. When he was 15, he lied about his age and joined the United States Army, serving in World War II.

He was 6 feet 8 inches tall, which presented a bit of a problem for him as far as sleeping arrangements, since none of the cots were long enough to accommodate his height.

His mother had a newspaper clipping of an article about how the army had a special extra-long bunk made for him.

He also served in the United States Air Force in Korea, stationed in the Philippines.

On a boat stationed in the Philippines.

A letter to Ettore written by his mother during the Korean war.

After his military service, Ettore was married briefly to a German woman named Erica. By this time Ettore became known as Terry to his friends.

Terry and Erica. Terry took piano lessons from a Hungarian pianist from the time he was 4 years old.
The baby grand piano was a Premier. It had been sent to Japan and had gold and Japanese carvings in the
wood case and bench, along with ivory keys.

(left to right) 1^st cousin Kathleen, wife Erica, Terry (late 50s)

Terry and Erica later divorced, and Terry was excommunicated from the Catholic church (they did that in those days). In 1961 he met Barbara Young at a tall singles dance. They are pictured below in 1961.

They were married in New York in July 1963.

They had three children. Laura and Scott are pictured here with
Terry at Christmas 1972.

Terry worked for the Metropolitan Transit Authority in New York for 25 years and retired from there at 60 years of age. He had also worked as a painter, carpenter and general contractor. He enjoyed music and art and had a penchant for off track betting. He also earned the nickname "Stretch" by friends at the local luncheonette where he liked to go for coffee and his lotto tickets.

Terry lived long enough to see 2 of his grandchildren, Ciara and Damian. Ciara was 4 ½ and Damian was 22 months when Terry died of lung cancer in November 1997. The cancer had spread throughout his body, so that there were 14 tumors in his lungs, back, bones and brain. He lost over 100 pounds in 3 months.

It is a very sad way to die and a hard thing to watch, and yet in a way cancer is a sick and twisted gift to those who live on, for it allows families a chance to mend fences and say their goodbyes, knowing that time is precious and ticking. So many people lose loved ones suddenly in accidents or to heart attacks every day, and don't have that opportunity. We are grateful to have had that chance.

Ciara has fond memories of her grandfather and keeps his pictures in her room. We all visit his grave often and keep his memory alive in our hearts.

Terry with Ciara in her cradle

Terry and Barbara with Ciara in Montauk

Terry with Ciara at Christmastime

Damian with Terry a month before his death

Rest In Peace