The McDougald Funeral Home2211 North Main StreetAnderson, South Carolina 29621864-224-4343OBITUARY WITH FLAG:FRANK J. LOMBARDIMAY 20, 1922 - JanUARY 12, 2012ANDERSON, SC ' Mr. Frank J. Lombardi, age 89, husband of sixty-eight years to the late Eleanor 'Ele' Matulis Lombardi, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2012, at his residence.Born May 20, 1922, in Hartford, CT, he was a son of immigrants Dominick & Catherine Ferro Lombardi, both of Italy. In his early years, he was a professional baseball player; it was that career that brought him to South Carolina to play for the Anderson Rebels. In April of 1947, Frank and 'Ele' founded Frank Distributing Company and subsequently fifty-four years later he retired as President and Owner. While active in the baseball era of his life, he coached in American Legion and Textile League baseball as well as being a Scout. Civically, he was a member of the Anderson Elks Club and served on the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Beer Association. In addition to serving in the 42nd Rainbow Division of the United States Army, he was a life member of the VFW. Mr. Lombardi was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where for many years he was active within the Knights of Columbus, 3rd & 4th degree. His beloved family survives: children: Kathy O'Connor & husband, Tom O'Connor, John F. Lombardi, Marcia Pearson & husband, Joel Pearson, Francis J. Lombardi Jr. & wife, Cheryl Lombardi, and Joyce Cox & husband, Gerald Cox, all of Anderson, SC; grandchildren: Shannon Rippy & husband, Brent Rippy, John F. Lombardi Jr., Tracy Maness & husband, Anthony Maness, Stephanie Moran & husband, Bobby Moran, Matthew Pearson & wife, Liz Pearson, and Danielle Lombardi; one great grandchild, Christopher Maness; a special sister-in-law, Ora Lombardi; half-siblings: Tony Lombardi, Robert Lombardi, Lucy Vallera, Barbara Morey, & Nick Lombardi; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and a longtime dear family friend, The Reverend Paul Seitz. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a beloved stepmother, Mary Lombardi; siblings: Nick Lombardi, Rocky Lombardi, & Mary Lombardi Winn, all formerly of Hartford, CT; half-sibling, Catherine Bruyett; and a daughter-in-law, Dorothy Marie Lombardi. The family wishes to also acknowledge with grateful appreciation the genuine care given by the caregivers of Mr. Lombardi: Katie Moore 'Flo', Barbara Mattison 'Bush', Sandra Jones 'Jo', John Lombardi 'Dominick', Tonya Winfield, & Tasha Winfield.The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 4pm on Monday, January 16, 2012, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Serving as pallbearers are Ron Brown, Milton Meredith, Dan Fields, Keith Martin, Wayne Wells, Conrad Putnam, Russell Wells, & Gary Roberson. Serving as honorary escort are Francis 'Bubba' Marchant, Randy Calvo, Robert Dameron MD, Ben Pruitt, Ed Perry, Bo Poore, & members of the Knights of Columbus.The family is at the Lombardi family home and will receive friends at The McDougald Funeral Home from 1:30 pm until 3:30 pm on Monday, prior to the Funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that memorials be made to the Building Fund of St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1200 Cornelia Road, Anderson, SC 29621, or to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621, whose Staff provided exceptional and excellent care to Mr. Lombardi.A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com.THE McDOUGALD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, Anderson.