Joseph Leonard Mombrea

Born on May 11, 1931 in Buffalo, NY, Joe was the son of the late Joseph and Frances (Pelosi) Mombrea. Raised and educated in Buffalo, Joe proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. On April 10, 1954, Joe married the love of his life, the former Jean Grandillo. The two had a beautiful union and were blessed to share 50 years of marriage together. Joe held a position with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as an OSHA Inspector. Devout to his Catholic Faith, Joe attended Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church and spent over 2 hours every morning saying his prayers. Joe served as a Eucharistic Minister and volunteered in the church’s thrift store. Before the pandemic, he would go to church every day. He was instrumental in helping many people through the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

In his younger year’s Joe enjoyed bowling and golf and always liked to shoot pool. Joes greatest and most difficult accomplishment was becoming a pilot and flying a B52 jet bomber in the United States Air Force. He won the General Electric Trophy by winning a non-stop race during the Paris Air Show, flying from Paris-Madrid-Rome-Paris. The 2,346 mile flight time was 4 hours and 12 minutes and 7 seconds for an average speed of 558 mph.

Joe is survived by his daughter, Jonette Waters; his son and daughter-in-law, Joel and Ora Mombrea; his grandchildren, Carrie Ann and Javier Ortega, Jesse and Ashleigh Waters, Jaclyn and Joseph Marino and Nicholas Mombrea; his great grandchildren, Lily Ana Ortega, Ava Jean Marino and future great grandchild in April 2022. Also surviving are numerous cousins. He was predeceased by his wife Jean, his daughter, Deborah Campbell, his son-in-law, James “Bud” Waters, brothers and sister-in-laws, Michael and Fay Mombrea, Daniel and Winifred Mombrea and his sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Victor Silveri.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Joe’s funeral service on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at Noon at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 1400 State Road 7, North Lauderdale where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Inurnment will follow in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, (adjacent to the church).

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Kraeer – Fairchild Funeral Home, 4061 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale.

It can be a great comfort to a grieving person or family to hear that others thought highly of their loved one, too. If you knew and admired Joseph, be sure to let the family know by writing a few words in the "Memory" section of his obituary on the Kraeer - Fairchild Funeral Home website. www.KraeerFairchild.com