Nevio Lombardi
September 5, 1932 — September 9, 2020
Nevio Lombardi, September 5, 1932, passed away on September 9, 2020 at his South Philadelphia home surrounded by family. He was 88 years old.
Nevio was an American success story. He came to Philadelphia from his hometown of Tollo, Province of Chieti, Italy, in 1960 at just 28 years old to take a tailoring apprenticeship with his uncle. Engaged to be married to his now wife, Mafalda, at the time, Nevio settled into his new country, saving money to buy a home and send for his soon to be bride. After taking a job at the Quartermaster's in South Philadelphia, he traveled back to Italy to marry and soon returned to America.
He and his wife, Mafalda, settled into a home on 15th Street where Nevio lived until his death. There, they were joined by, and later cared for, Nevio's parents, Antonia and Emilio. The home was filled with smells of Mafalda's homemade cooking, pastas and chicken parmesan - the only food that Nevio truly enjoyed. He'd turn down invitations to celebrate special occasions by eating out at a restaurant or another person's home, preferring instead to have his wife's cooking. "It's the only food that doesn't make my stomach hurt," he'd often say. The home was soon also filled with three beloved children - Nevio's oldest son, Paul Lombardi (Kerri Oates), Carlo Lombardi (Robyn Ray), and a much hoped for daughter, Sabrina McNelis (Anthony McNelis).
Nevio worked hard to provide the best life for his three children and took great pride in being able to do so. He purchased a second home in Wildwood, New Jersey, where he and his family spent many happy summers, including the most recent one. His children recall vividly piling into the back of Nevio's station wagon for trips to their beloved beach home. With three kids in the back and a car packed to the gills, at times the pet goldfish in a bowl on someone's lap, it was quite a scene. At the beach, Nevio enjoyed tending to his flowers and garden (and sharing his tomato crop and basil plants with friends), hosting many barbecues in his backyard, sitting on the front porch appreciating the ocean breeze, playing bocce and horseshoes with friends, and watching his children enjoy life. He created a second beach family of beloved neighbors and friends who enjoyed coming together during the summer months.
Nevio was a devoted father, not only proudly providing Paul, Carlo and Sabrina with a wonderful escape during the summer months, but also purchasing their first cars, helping with their college educations and contributing to their independent lives - he helped them lay hardwood floors in first homes and countless other home projects - plumbing, carpentry, electrical work, and more - all self-taught skills. Nevio was truly a jack of all trades. As his children began their own lives and created families of their own, Nevio enjoyed spending time with his three grandchildren Giselle, London, and Julien.
Nevio instilled in his children a deep sense of devotion to family, pride in their heritage, and a strong work ethic. He lives on in them and will be deeply missed by many, most especially his devoted wife of 58 years, Mafalda.
Friends and family will be received by the family on Monday, 9/14/2020, at 9:00 AM, St. Monica's Roman Catholic Church, 17th and Ritner Streets, Philadelphia, PA, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 AM. A burial will immediately follow at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, 1600 S. Sproul Road, Springfield, PA.
Nevio was an American success story. He came to Philadelphia from his hometown of Tollo, Province of Chieti, Italy, in 1960 at just 28 years old to take a tailoring apprenticeship with his uncle. Engaged to be married to his now wife, Mafalda, at the time, Nevio settled into his new country, saving money to buy a home and send for his soon to be bride. After taking a job at the Quartermaster's in South Philadelphia, he traveled back to Italy to marry and soon returned to America.
He and his wife, Mafalda, settled into a home on 15th Street where Nevio lived until his death. There, they were joined by, and later cared for, Nevio's parents, Antonia and Emilio. The home was filled with smells of Mafalda's homemade cooking, pastas and chicken parmesan - the only food that Nevio truly enjoyed. He'd turn down invitations to celebrate special occasions by eating out at a restaurant or another person's home, preferring instead to have his wife's cooking. "It's the only food that doesn't make my stomach hurt," he'd often say. The home was soon also filled with three beloved children - Nevio's oldest son, Paul Lombardi (Kerri Oates), Carlo Lombardi (Robyn Ray), and a much hoped for daughter, Sabrina McNelis (Anthony McNelis).
Nevio worked hard to provide the best life for his three children and took great pride in being able to do so. He purchased a second home in Wildwood, New Jersey, where he and his family spent many happy summers, including the most recent one. His children recall vividly piling into the back of Nevio's station wagon for trips to their beloved beach home. With three kids in the back and a car packed to the gills, at times the pet goldfish in a bowl on someone's lap, it was quite a scene. At the beach, Nevio enjoyed tending to his flowers and garden (and sharing his tomato crop and basil plants with friends), hosting many barbecues in his backyard, sitting on the front porch appreciating the ocean breeze, playing bocce and horseshoes with friends, and watching his children enjoy life. He created a second beach family of beloved neighbors and friends who enjoyed coming together during the summer months.
Nevio was a devoted father, not only proudly providing Paul, Carlo and Sabrina with a wonderful escape during the summer months, but also purchasing their first cars, helping with their college educations and contributing to their independent lives - he helped them lay hardwood floors in first homes and countless other home projects - plumbing, carpentry, electrical work, and more - all self-taught skills. Nevio was truly a jack of all trades. As his children began their own lives and created families of their own, Nevio enjoyed spending time with his three grandchildren Giselle, London, and Julien.
Nevio instilled in his children a deep sense of devotion to family, pride in their heritage, and a strong work ethic. He lives on in them and will be deeply missed by many, most especially his devoted wife of 58 years, Mafalda.
Friends and family will be received by the family on Monday, 9/14/2020, at 9:00 AM, St. Monica's Roman Catholic Church, 17th and Ritner Streets, Philadelphia, PA, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 AM. A burial will immediately follow at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, 1600 S. Sproul Road, Springfield, PA.
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