Santi Lombardo, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2023, at his home in Miami, Florida. He was 89 years old.
Santi was born on April 15, 1934, in Palermo, Sicily, to Giuseppe and Maria Lombardo. He grew up in a large and close-knit family, with six siblings and many cousins. He learned the values of hard work, honesty, and generosity from his parents, who owned a small grocery store.
Lombardo had a passion for music and art, and he taught himself how to play the accordion and the guitar. He also enjoyed painting and sketching, and he often made portraits of his family and friends. He had a cheerful and optimistic personality, and he loved to make people laugh with his jokes and stories.
Santi Lombardo met his wife, Sonia, at a church dance when he was 18 and she was 16. They fell in love and got married in 1955. They moved to the United States in 1960, seeking a better life and opportunities for their children. They settled in Miami, Florida, where they raised four sons and two daughters. Santi worked as a carpenter and a handyman, and Sonia worked as a seamstress and a homemaker. They were devoted to each other and to their family, and they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in 2023.
Lombardo was a man of faith and service, and he was an active member of his parish, St. John Bosco Catholic Church. He volunteered as a catechist, a choir member, a lector, and a Eucharistic minister. He also helped with various charitable projects, such as feeding the homeless, visiting the sick, and donating clothes and toys to the needy. He was a role model and a mentor to many young people, and he inspired them with his kindness and wisdom.
Santi was a proud and loving grandfather to 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time with them, playing games, reading stories, and teaching them about his culture and heritage. He also shared his musical and artistic talents with them, and he encouraged them to pursue their dreams and passions.
Santi is survived by his wife, Sonia; his children, Joseph, Anthony, Michael, John, Maria, and Anna; his grandchildren, Sofia, Marco, Luca, Gianna, Matteo, Isabella, Leonardo, Gabriella, Alessandro, Valeria, Lorenzo, Bianca, Emilia, Francesco, and Elena; his great-grandchildren, Noah, Mia, Leo, Olivia, Liam, Stella, Luca, and Emma; his siblings, Rosa, Pietro, Carmela, Salvatore, and Teresa; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Lombardo was preceded in death by his parents, Giuseppe and Maria; and his brother, Antonio.
A funeral mass will be held on January 4, 2024, at 10 a.m., at St. John Bosco Catholic Church, followed by a burial at Miami Memorial Park. A reception will be held at the church hall after the burial.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. John Bosco Catholic Church or to the American Cancer Society in Santi’s memory.
Santi Lombardo will be dearly missed by all who knew him, and he will be remembered for his life of love, faith, and service. He was a blessing and a gift to his family and his community, and he left a lasting legacy of joy and hope. Rest in peace, Santi. You are in our hearts and prayers.
