Greenfield- Rev. Dennis P. Bombardier, 77, of Myers Farm Road died peacefully on Sunday April 22, 2018. He was born in North Adams on May 8, 1940, the son of the late N. Valmore and A. Edna (Fish) Bombardier.
He was an original member of Boy Scout Troop 99 (Mark Hopkins School- North Adams). He was an Eagle Scout and became the first Assistant Junior Scout Master of Troop 99. He attended the Fourth National Boy Scout Jamboree at Valley Forge, PA in 1957.
Father Bombardier attended grammar school at Mark Hopkins Elementary School in North Adams and was a graduate of Drury High School in North Adams. He then attended St. Philip Neri School for Delayed Vocations run by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) at Haverhill, MA, graduating in 1959. Father Bombardier attended St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH, which was run by the Benedictine monks.
He received his Bachelor’s Degree , graduating cum laude in 1964. In August of 1964, he sailed the original Queen Mary and took his Theology Studies at the American College at University of Louvain (Leuven), Belgium. While living in Europe, he did pastoral work during the summers.
He worked with blind boys in France at Ronno par Amplepuis and with boys from broken families at Agde, France. He also worked at American military bases in France and Germany – Angouleme in France and Kaiserslautern Army Base and Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, North Africa and the Holy Land of Israel.
He returned from his European studies to the United States in June of 1968 and was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest for the Diocese of Springfield at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield, MA by Bishop Christopher J. Weldon, Bishop of Springfield. Two classmates from the Diocese of Springfield also studied with him in Louvain and were ordained with him on June 29, 1968 – Reverend Monsignor David Joyce and Reverend Merle Lavoie. Aside from spending a year in the Diocese of Phoenix, AZ, Father Bombardier’s pastoral assignments in the United States have been in Western Mass.
From 1968-1972, Father Bombardier served as Assistant Pastor at St. Joseph’s Parish in Shelburne Falls. In 1972, he became Associate Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Pittsfield until 1976, becoming Senior Curate at St. Joseph’s Parish in Pittsfield for two years. From 1979 to 1984, Father Bombardier was Chaplain at the Farren Hospital in Turners Falls.
He was then appointed Pastor of St. John’s Church in Millers Falls and St. Blanche Mission in Erving until their closings, from 1985-2009. After his retirement in 2009, he moved to Meyers Farm Road in Greenfield and since has assisted at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Greenfield. Father Bombardier is survived by a sister, Valerie A. O’Reilly of Burlington, VT; a brother, Dr. Gary E. Bombardier of Alexandria, VA; four nieces, Kathleen, Maureen, Colleen and Jacqueline O’Reilly; and nine great nieces and great nephews.
Besides his parents, Father Bombardier was predeceased by a brother, Neal A. Bombardier. Father Bombardier’s family is grateful for the loving care provided over the last several years by his caregivers from Comprehensive Home Care. A Pontifical con-celebrated Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday 4/26 at 10am at Blessed Sacrament Church, 221 Federal Street, Greenfield with the Most Rev.
Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell. Burial will follow at Southview Cemetery in North Adams. His body will lie in state at Blessed Sacrament Church on Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 7pm with a vigil service to be held at 7pm.
The Knights of Columbus will be present for all services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Building Fund, Blessed Sacrament Church, 182 High Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 or to the Seminarian’s Fund, Diocese of Springfield, Address, PO Box 1730, Springfield, MA 01102-1730. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kostanski Funeral Home.
Sympathy message available at www. kostanskifuneralhome.com.
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