Peter John Lombardi

He was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 22, 1926 where he and his two sisters were raised by a mother who was ahead of her time. She instilled in her children the love of education, responsibility, caring for others, and a drive to get ahead. Pete’s first job was as a shoe shine boy in Brooklyn, New York at the age of 10 years old.

When Pete was 17, he enlisted in the army in January of 1944 and served his time in the 11th Airborne Paratroop Division until May of 1946 and received the following military decorations; Corporal, Cannoneer; American Campaign Medal Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal; WWII Victory Medal; and Paratrooper Wings. After WWII ended, he returned to New York. He met his wife, Trudi (from Washington DC) on a blind date through mutual friends. After months of loving correspondence, they were married on April 24, 1949. They eventually settled in Pasadena, Maryland and raised 4 children there. Pete’s marriage to Trudi lasted 39 years and he always said his success was because of her support. While in Maryland, Pete began a long career in the Savings and Loan industry; most notably at Annapolis Federal. During his tenure at Annapolis Federal it had grown from 22 million to 250 million in 13 years; becoming the 4th largest savings and loan in the state of Maryland. He left the savings and loan industry in 1979 and became the President of the state of Maryland Chamber of Commerce until he retired in 1992.

He attended Manhattan High School of Aviation Trades graduating in January 1944; received his Bachelor’s Degree from Strayer University in 1956; a MBA from Loyola College in 1984; and the School of Hard Knocks. He was also the President, Lt. Governor, and Governor of Optimist International; President of Junior High and High School PTA’s; and the following Maryland Governor Appointments for BWI Airport Economic Development; Council for Vo-Tech; Maryland University Council for Productivity and the Maryland Workers Insurance Corporation in Pasadena and Annapolis, Maryland.

Pete married Elaine Johnston in June of 1988 and 4 years later they both entered retirement. They eventually moved to the community of Naples Heritage in Naples, Florida in October of 1997 to enjoy years of travel and community involvement. They were married for over 25 years. Pete lived in Naples until after Elaine’s death of pancreatic cancer 4 years ago. He enjoyed playing golf, meeting new friends, traveling with Elaine, and being an active member in his new community. To say Pete like to be involved and in charge of things would be an understatement. In Naples, he was the Chairman of Community Development District, Transition Committee, Men’s Golf Association, Member and Chair of Finance Committee, Co-chair Golf Committee and any other committee he could weasel his way onto as long as he was in charge. He was a force to be reckoned with!

His hobbies included being an avid reader prior to going legally blind due to macular degeneration; writing a biography about his life: My Life, the Way I Remember It; traveling the world; most of the United States, Spain, Italy, South Korea, Taiwan, and South Africa. His most memorable trip occurred April 2014 when he was invited to go on the “Honor Flight” to Washington DC to allow veterans to visit the WWII Memorial; he had a passion for Politics and Finance; was known for his love of family and friends, especially his sisters, Flo and Camille…the Three Musketeers; loved to dance and sing (although not very good), tell stories, jokes, and relive his life in vivid detail.

Pete had 2 goals that he was unable to meet before his death. One was walking 1000 miles. He’d walk the hallway of his facility 4 times back and forth each night and reached 500 miles by January 14, 2023. His last mile was walked May 1, 2023, making it 576 miles. Perhaps in his name you could walk the additional miles for him. The second was to buddy jump parachute on his 100th birthday, which will be October 2027. Is anyone up for this?

Pete was preceded in death by his wife, Anne Elaine Lombardi; mother, Emma Lopardi; step-father, Tony Lopardi; step-sister, Angela Hoffer; father, John Lombardi; sisters, Flavia Giampietro and Camille Ward; brother-in-law, Robert Ward; nieces, Barbara Lynn and Nikki Marie Giampietro; and many beloved friends, including Pete Ramundo, Tony D’Lauro, Dean Vint, and Adriane and Betty Fletcher.

Survivors include sons, John Lombardi (Katherine Lambert) and Garvin Lombardi (Liz Lombardi); daughters, Kim Lombardi and Lenore Lombardi (Barry Thompson); brother-in-law, Steven Reeves; step-daughters, Jane Copple and Lisa Laughlin (Patrick Laughlin); grandchildren, Chris Lombardi (Jamie), Anthony Lombardi, Keith Johnson (Tammy), John Lombardi and his brothers, Doug and Andy, Kristen Wylder, Carla Thompson (Aaron), David Drewry and Margaret Kei, Julie Seem (Will), Katie King, Danny Laughlin, Ryan Finch, and Kayla Truax; great-grandchildren, Ariela and Orion Lombardi, Donna Johnson, Tucker Thompson, Graham Perelmutter, Oliver Carter-Drewry, Liana, Aubrey, and Amelia Truax, Lucas and Raven Lombardi; and great-great grandchildren, Annabelle and Adrian Johnson, and Milo and Hazel Finch.

Pete and Elaine will be interned at Arlington National Cemetery at some future date. You may consider a memorial donation in Pete’s name to: local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Veterans (Am Vet), Wounded Warrior Project, Honor Flight Network, or any local chapter for veterans in Pete’s name.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com for the Lombardi family.