"Dear Victoria I'm sad to see the passing of your brother Jimmy. My father was your cousin John B. Lombardini III I want you to know you are in my thoughts. Cindy Lombardini Richardson "
In loving memory of
James Lombardini
June 21, 1948 - July 11, 2021
Brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle, cousin, and friend to many passed gently Sunday, July 11, 2021, just after noon. He most recently resided at Issaquah Nursing and Rehab in Issaquah, Washington.
James was born to Victor and Rachael (Webert) Lombardini at Swedish Hospital, Seattle, WA on the auspicious date of June 21, 1948. He initially lived in Windsor Hills in Renton, WA and then moved to Lake Washington Blvd in what is now Newcastle.
James spent his entire life in Washington. He lived in Buckley, WA at Rainier State School for the most of his young life. In 1970 James moved home, living w his mother, Rachael. After her death he moved to live with his sister and her family in an active home including 4 young boys, Adam, Jacob, Lowell and Noah. Trips to the grocery store were lovingly referred to as "Parker's Traveling Zoo". He lived with his family until 1981 when circumstances led to his transition to more supportive 24 hour care. Until 2017 he lived at Mac Su, an assistive living environment in Federal Way. All of his residences allowed Jimmy to remain employed at South King County Industries and Employment Services until 2017. This agency was formed by our mother and other loving parents of differently-abled young adults transitioning into life following their 18th birthday when services evaporated. These forward thinking parents birthed an idea that was very foreign at that time. SKCAC remains a viable agency 40+ years later even surviving the recent pandemic. After a brief hospitalization in May of 2017 Jimmy moved back closer to his original home in Issaquah where he was lovingly cared for and made friends with the staff at Issaquah Nursing and Rehab.
James had an active imagination, taking on the role of Sargent Dick Tracy from the comic section of The Seattle Times. In this role he intervened via his 2 way wrist radio to assist his many friends. He ramped up the "deputyization" of many of friends and family with captive staff and clients at INR. Pre-pandemic he was a weekly patron of Issaquah Meadows Starbucks with the assistance of a community inclusion coach and Access. This expanded his ability to deputize most of coffee-drinking Issaquah.
I will miss the brother who taught my sons and I and many others to be a little kinder, and little more patient and to slow down a bit and use your imagination to make life better.