Bozrah – John H. Combs, Sr 76, of Bozrah died peacefully Friday evening July 9, 2021 his way, in his home with his wife Carole beside him. John was born September 9, 1944 in Queens New York, the son of the late Kenneth and Genevieve (McCloskey) Combs. On August 2, 1969 he was joined in marriage to Carole Berlad, the love of his life at St. Anthony’s in East Northport, New York.
John and Carole made the move from Long Island, New York to Bozrah, Connecticut where they made their home for over 35 years. Together they raised three children who survive him, his oldest son John Jr, his wife Patricia and their daughter Tiffany, his daughter Susan, her husband Brett (Favro), their children Amanda and Joshua, and his youngest son James, his wife Michelle and their children Leah and Matthew.
Papa, as his grandchildren affectionately called him, loved each and everyone of them the same but had a very special bond with Amanda and Joshua who were lucky enough to live right next door growing up. They were able to run up to Papa and Grandmas at any time and have whatever treats they wanted without mom and dad ever knowing, had numerous sleepovers, and a ride when ever they needed one until they were able to drive Papa themselves. He never allowed more than a few days go by without a phone call to his Binky and Duke, the nicknames he gave Amanda and Joshua when babies and called them to this day. The bond between papa and them will never be broken.
He was affectionately known by all who loved him as Pops. He was a staunch republican and never had a problem expressing how he felt with the state of affairs. During golf season, you could find him and his wife Carole watching golf matches all day, and make no mistake about it, his all-time favorite was Phil Mickelson. Recently he was very disappointed with the way Tom Brady golfed with Phil and made no bones about it when he called his good friend Louis Sullivan (Amanda’s significant other) to express his thoughts!
Pops also leaves behind his very best friend Nicholas Poppiti, who he loved dearly. Nicholas was always by Pops side and would drop everything for him and Pops never took that for granted.
John took after his beloved late grandfather George McCloskey and started his own painting company that he owned and operated for over 45 years named John Combs Painting. He always loved riding with his family and pointing out all the local homes he painted and would share stories of the job….and sometimes the homeowners as well. He was a gifted craftsman and loved spending time building things in his garage. Some of his work included curio cabinets, specialized shelving, kitchen cabinets, and custom designed accents. He was very much a perfectionist and his work reflected that about him.
He loved dogs so much that he and his wife welcomed many throughout the years into their home. He often found himself being lovingly reminded by Amanda and Joshua to not give too many treats to any of the family dogs, to which always fell on deaf ears.
There was never a time that dad did not love being with his family, but the holidays were always his favorite, especially Christmas. He loved nothing more than having his wife, his children and his grandchildren all together eating, drinking, unwrapping way too many presents, and always having his favorite group playing in the background, The Bee Gees. Dad had such a giving heart that each year, when presented with a gift for him, he would start crying before his hands touched it and would go in the kitchen to make believe he was checking on dinner…..but we all knew.
Dad loved his family very much and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for any of them or anyone else he cared for. He was the epitome of a family man and his family will forever have a piece of their hearts missing due to such an immense loss. We find solace in knowing he will join his mother, his father, and his all-time favorite sister in law, Barbara Combs who predeceased him.
A Celebration of Life will be held at The Bozrah Volunteer Firehouse on July 31, 2021 at 2:00 the way Dad would have wanted it; burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to The Bozrah Volunteer Fire Department.
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