Philip Thomas Lombardi

SOUTH PORTLAND - Philip Thomas Lombardi, 93, of South Portland, died Wednesday at the Barron Center surrounded by his family. He was born on April 20, 1919 in Portland a son of Sicilian immigrants Vencenzo and Lucia DeForte Lombardi. Philip was raised on the North End of Boston where he attended English High School. Following high school, Philip joined the Army and served in the Pacific Theater of Operations during WWII. While Philip was serving his country, the Lombardi family moved to Maine. Philip joined the family in Portland after the War. Upon his return to Maine, Philip worked at various jobs including, milkman, and as a fisherman. In 1949, he began a 25 year career with the A P Food Store. When the A P closed, Philip began working for the Post Office. He retired from the Post Office at age 72. Philip met his future bride at a dance. He married the former Ellen J. Feeney on September 23, 1950 at St. Dominic's Church. Philip was a longtime communicant of Holy Cross Church, a member of the American Legion, the VFW, a lifetime member of the Italian Heritage Club and had been an active member of the Portland Elks Lodge No. 188. During his retirement he and his wife Ellen liked traveling. They took trips to the Bahamas, Italy, Las Vegas, Florida and many road trips throughout New England. They spent summers at their cottage on Crystal Lake in Gray where they enjoyed entertaining family and friends. They found many years of enjoyment dancing at the Elks Lodge. Philip was predeceased by a sister, Antoinette DeForte; two brothers, Anthony Lombardi and Sebastian Lombardi. Survivors include his beloved wife Ellen J. Lombardi of South Portland; two daughters, Cynthia Jean Cote and husband Marc of Westbrook, Karen Ellen Wyman and husband Gregory of South Portland; a son, Philip Thomas Lombardi, Jr. and wife Nancy of Windham; 8 grandchildren; 1 great granddaughter. Visitation will be held 4 to 8 p.m. Monday April 15, 2013 at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A ritualistic service by the Elks Lodge will be held at 7:00 p.m. Prayers will be recited 9:15 a.m. Tuesday at the South Portland Chapel followed by a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, corner of Broadway and Cottage Roads, South Portland. Burial with military rites will be held at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.Online condolences may be expressed below.