Gerald "Jerry" F. Dombroski

Jerry Dombroski, a beloved teacher, husband, father, and man of faith, graduated to heaven on June 9, 2026, at age 88. Jerry was born on August 27, 1937, in Aberdeen, Washington, to Leonard and Wanda Dombroski. His father worked for a paper mill and his mother was a homemaker and seamstress. Jerry grew up in a close-knit Polish-American community. He enjoyed hanging out with his friends, target shooting with .22 rifles, riding bikes, and clamming. His escapades included creating “rockets” using fireworks purchased through the mail.

Jerry attended St. Mary’s School and then Hoquiam High School. Prior to graduation in 1955, he went to work for Safeway, a local grocery store. Jerry enjoyed boating and waterskiing with family and friends. He and his father built a small speedboat out of plywood (yes, plywood). After a two-year stint in the Army, Jerry pursued a teaching degree at Grays Harbor College where he met Beth Carossino, his future wife. They married on June 22, 1963, and moved to Bellingham, Washington. Jerry earned his BA in Education in 1963 from Western Washington State College, and later a Master’s degree in Natural Science from the University of Idaho. The couple welcomed daughter Ann in 1968 and son Mark in 1969. Jerry taught mathematics for 29 years at Fairhaven Middle School, remembered by countless students as a skilled, motivational teacher with a gentle rapport and sense of humor.

Jerry had a lifelong love of automobiles, especially Buicks. His first vehicle (purchased during college) was a beautiful turquoise and aqua Buick hardtop, which he kept in spotless condition. Over the years, Jerry owned many vintage Buicks of the 1940s through the 1990s. Some of his favorites included a 1940 Buick Super, a black 1940 Century (nicknamed “The Godfather Car”), and a sleek maroon 1969 Buick Electra convertible (for which he did most of the body work and engine work). He once even bought a sedan for $1, using it as a parts car for one of his other vehicles. Jerry was a charter member of the North Cascades Chapter of the Buick Club of America. He and Beth enjoyed touring with other car enthusiasts and visiting car meets. Jerry referred to the cars of the 40s and 50s as “rolling art,” admiring their sleek lines and attractive detailing. In his last year of life, Jerry had the thrill of displaying his bandolier blue 1940 Buick Century at the 2026 River Rod Show at the Wurstfest grounds in New Braunfels, Texas.

Jerry was also an avid gardener, a skill he learned from his parents. He maintained a large vegetable garden at each house he owned. The family enjoyed fresh produce at every meal throughout the summers and falls. In earlier years, he and his brother-in-law Ron held yearly contests to see who could grow the largest zucchini. Jerry took great pride in meticulous landscaping, mowing and edging his lawn weekly and planting decorative trees and shrubs. After moving from rainy Washington State to hot and dry Texas in 2020, he successfully “re-

learned” how to garden in a completely new setting. Many an afternoon were spent shooting the breeze on his back porch with friends after an active morning of gardening.

Jerry and Beth loved traveling, to include weeks-long summer trips to national parks and family vacations at Lake Pearrygin in Eastern Washington. Locally, they spent many days at Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, and the San Juan Islands. After the children graduated, Jerry and Beth bought a camper, and then later a fifth-wheel and a travel trailer. They crossed the country several times to Hershey, Pennsylvania, and also traveled extensively in Alaska, along the Pacific coast and throughout the Southwest. For over ten years, they spent winters in their fifth-wheel on the Colorado River near Lake Havasu, AZ, making many new friends and taking side trips to visit the Rock and Gem show in Tucson and the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale. In 2006-2008, Jerry and Beth traveled three times to Europe to visit their daughter and son-in-law who were stationed in Germany. A highlight of these trips was a visit to Jerry’s family’s ancestral home of Krakow, Poland.

Jerry loved his family and friends deeply. He and Beth were married for almost 62 years and raised two beautiful children. Jerry, Beth, and the kids spent many long weekends on “The Harbor” at their childhood homes, playing pinochle, eating together as a family, and going clamming at Ocean Shores and Copalis. Fourth of July and Christmas Eve were spent on Whidbey Island with Jerry’s family. Jerry made many lifelong friends through his church, hobbies, and travels. He was known as an excellent listener and a devoted friend. Jerry and Beth celebrated their 25th, 50th, and 60th wedding anniversaries with many extended family and friends. These reunions were joyous and loving events.

Jerry’s quiet, deep faith in Christ anchored his life. He faithfully attended church every Sunday, sometimes driving miles to find a church when on vacation. He served as a lector at his home church in Bellingham. When caring for his wife as she battled dementia, and later as he faced his own cancer diagnosis, Jerry leaned heavily on God’s strength. His faith deepened noticeably during this time of struggle. In his final days, Jerry stated that he had made his peace with God and was ready to meet Him.

Jerry is predeceased by his parents; his beloved wife, Beth; brother-in-law, Ron; sister-in-law Becky; and nephew Josiah. He is survived by his daughter, Ann, and her family; son, Mark, and his family; siblings, Judy and John, and their families; and many relatives. Jerry’s legacy of love and faithfulness endures, and he awaits his loved ones in heaven.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 16th at Zoeller Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, August 17th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jerry’s name to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in New Braunfels, Texas.