More detail on this person: Ronald Lombardo,
73, Lieutenant Commander USN Retired of
Brookfield, Connecticut, passed away on July 24,
2016, at the Danbury Regional Hospice and
Homecare after a courageous battle with cancer. He
was born on February 21, 1943 to Anthony and Rita
(Perrone) Lombardo in New Brunswick, NJ.
He was an accomplished professional helicopter
pilot, proud Vietnam veteran, and manager with 30
years experience in all phases of corporate
aviation. He accrued over 13,000 flight hours and
held a helicopter airline transport rating. An
icon with strong interpersonal skills, he was an
administrative, financial, and aviation operations
leader. He was also published in Business and
Commercial Aviation magazine. Ron served a four
year enlistment in the Navy as an aviation
electronics technician before being selected into
the Naval Aviation Cadet Program from 1965
through 1966 (NAVCAD). Upon completion of
O.C.S. and flight training in Pensacola, Florida,
he served as Operations Officer with helicopter
detachments aboard aircraft carriers U.S.S.
Intrepid. When the U.S.S. Forrestal caught fire,
Ronald participated in search and rescue
helicopter missions. (S.A.R.S.) He was an advocate
in the industry. When he retired from the Navy, he
was excited to take part in the emerging world of
corporate helicopters. He embraced running into
his "old navy buddies" on the many trips that took
him all over the United States.
In 1966 Ron married Rita Seaman. They lived in
Brick Town, NJ for the next 16 years, & enjoyed
all the Jersey Shore had to offer. The family
shared many wonderful adventures together and
survived some challenging times.
Honors include: Air Medal - Meritorious Service -
Navy Unit Citation - National Defense - Vietnam
Campaign - Good Conduct Medal. He was in the
U.S. Naval Reserve of Lakehurst, NJ, with the
following achievements: LT CMDR/ Naval
Intelligence Union/ Willow Grove, PA; LT CMDR/
Head Speaker for Navy Seapower Lecture Team/
Lakehurst, NJ; LT/ Anti-submarine Warfare Pilot/
Lakehurst, NJ.
He was also highly regarded in his associations:
President, Vice President, Safety Chairman/
Eastern Region Helicopter Council; Round Table
Committee/ Helicopter Association International;
President, Board of Directors/ Indian Fields
Homeowners' Association.
Career Accomplishments - Combat Search and
Rescue Pilot with U.S. Navy; Copters Incorporated,
Philadelphia, PA; Flightways Inc., Philadelphia,
PA; ViewTop Corp., New York, N.Y.; American
Express Company, New York, N.Y.; TRIARC, New
York, N.Y.; Contract Helicopter Pilot, Tri-state
area; U.S. Helicopters, Bridgeport, CT; Starr
Equipment Corporation, Bridgeport, CT.
He is survived by his wife, Rita, of almost 50
years; his three brothers, Anthony Jr., (Wife
Mary), Johnny, and Russell (Wife Lyn); many
nieces, nephews, and loving cousins; his daughter
Rachel Rothe (Husband Brian), their daughter
Skylar Larkin (4 yrs); and his son Randy (Wife
Lauren) and their daughter Téa Leigh, (1.5 yrs).
He took pride in being their Poppie.
Ron was a strong and proud man who will be
missed by his associates from all walks of life.
Have a safe flight home.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at
Danbury Memorial Funeral Home (117 South St,
Danbury CT) on Satuday August 20th, 2016 from 12
to 3 p.m., with a prayer service beginning at 2:30
p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you
direct donations in Ron's memory to: Lustgarten
Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research,
1-866-789-1000.
The Humane Society: 1-866-720-2676. To light a
candle or send a condolence please visit
danburymemorial.com
Published in News Times on Aug. 7, 2016
This information was last updated 08/07/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
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