James J. Lombardo, 79, a resident of Denton, Maryland, died of congestive heart failure on December 22 at his home.

Mr. Lombardo was born August 1, 1930 in Muskegon, Michigan and was raised in Yonkers, New York.

He graduated from Manhattan College High School in 1948. He entered the Air Force the same year, eventually achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. He served in Japan and for two years during the Korean Conflict. He married Shirley A. Carter in 1952. The couple lived in St Louis, Missouri while he attended Parks College of the University of St Louis. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics in 1957.

The couple settled in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, where Mr. Lombardo lived until 2001. After that he lived in Chester, Maryland until his wife's death in April 2008. Since then, he has lived with his son Steven Lombardo and most recently with his daughter Carmela Powell in Denton.

During his life, Mr. Lombardo was a member of Holy Trinity Parish in Glen Burnie, St John the Evangelist in Severna Park, St Christopher's in Chester and Saint Benedict's/Saint Elizabeth's in Denton.

He worked at Westinghouse, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and retired in 1989. Mr. Lombardo was most proud of his service with NASA, in which he helped maintain tracking stations around the world.

Mr. Lombardo was active in the Berrywood Community Association in Severna Park and also volunteered for Meals on Wheels.

He enjoyed playing poker, watching the Orioles and the Ravens and dining with friends and family. Mr. Lombardo was also an excellent carpenter and, in retirement, had a small business with his friends, called the Deck Hands.

He was predeceased by his father, Carmelo Lombardo, in 1947, his mother Helen G. Lombardo in 1987.

Survivors include two daughters, Carmela Powell of Denton, Maryland and Eileen Gawitt of Severna Park, Maryland; three sons, Kevin Lombardo of Baltimore, Maryland, Mark Lombardo of Beijing, China and Steve Lombardo of Severna Park, Maryland; and fourteen grandchildren, of whom he was very proud and loved very much.

Family and friends may visit on Sunday from 5-7pm at Barranco & Sons, P.A. Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday at 10am at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 689 Ritchie Highway in Severna Park. Interment will be in Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.

Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com.