Robert A. Bombard

Robert A. Bombard, 85, a long-time resident of Boylston, passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2017, at UMass Hospital in Worcester.  His loving wife of fifty-nine years, Irene M. (Garvick) Bombard, predeceased him in December 2013.   Robert is survived by two sons, Dr. Robert A. Bombard, Jr. of Brockton, and David L. Bombard and his wife Adriana of Edwards, Colorado; two sisters, Julie Conte of Glencoe, Illinois and Shirley Latino of Shrewsbury; four grandchildren, Matthew James, Catherine Elise, Collins Garvick, and Jacqueline Irene Bombard; nieces and nephews.  Robert was born in Worcester son of the late, Herbert and Dorothy (Reno) Bombard.  He served his nation proudly in the United States Navy.   Robert graduated from Fitchburg State College with a Teaching Degree in Industrial Arts, played left wing on the soccer team, and received the Joseph Cutler award for excellence in woodworking. Bob then joined the Navy and married his childhood sweetheart Irene. Together they moved to a Navy base in Maryland, and soon after got orders to go to Morocco. Living in Port Lyautey (now Kenitra), Morocco ignited their interest in travel and learning firsthand about other cultures. After a brief return to Massachusetts, Bob joined the Department of the Army civilians; Department of Defense Dependent Schools, and they moved to Frankfurt, Germany for seven years. While they lived overseas, he learned to speak German, travelled to 26 countries, skied the greatest mountains of Europe, coached a championship winning soccer team, and their first son Robert was born.   Bob continued his teaching career after returning to the USA by educating the youth of Natick High School, Worcester Technical High School, and the Lincoln Square Boys Club for many years, before he retired.  He was a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and had also been a member of Saint Mary of The Hills Parish in Boylston. He was an avid skier and tennis player.   Calling Hours for Robert will be on Sunday, January 7, 2018, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.  His Funeral will be on Monday, January 8, departing the funeral home in procession at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass at Saint Mary’s Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury.  Interment services will be held privately.    In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to create a scholarship fund in Robert Bombard’s name may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. Donations can be made online at www.bgcworcester.org or mailed to Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, c/o Liz Hamilton, 65 Tainter St., Worcester, MA 01610.