Benjamin Gombar
August 23, 1930 - April 11, 2020
Obituary
Benjamin William Gombar, age 89, passed away Saturday, April 11, 2020 after a courageous, year-long fight with Parkinson's disease. Benjamin was born August 23, 1930 in Mojtin, Slovakia. He immigrated to the United States aboard the Queen Mary and arrived on August 20, 1947, at just 17 years of age. He married the love of his life, Geraldine Ann Meyette, on July 14, 1962. Ben was a member of SS. Peter & Paul Church (St. Dominic Parish) for 71 years. It was at SS. Peter and Paul School that he learned to speak English. He was a very devoted Catholic, and a 50 year member of the First Catholic Slovak Union Branch 780. In addition, he was also an active member of the Slovak League and Slovak Catholic Federation. During his life, he worked at numerous manufacturing facilities, and retired from Saginaw Steering Gear Plant #2 after 40 years of service. Benjamin loved being outdoors gardening, fishing, and hunting, and those life skills he passed onto his children. He also enjoyed cooking, reading and collecting recipes. His laugh was infectious and he shared it with everyone. Ben is survived by his beloved wife, Gerri Gombar and eight children: Ben (Linda) Gombar, Joe (Dawn) Gombar, Mike (Trudi) Gombar, Chris Gombar, Mark (Michelle) Gombar, Mary (Tim) Albers, David (Melissa) Gombar, and Tom (Tammy) Gombar; 17 grandchildren: Ashley, Sarah, Ellen, Ryan, Tim, Kody, Jadon, Denise, Matthew, Katerina, Rebecca, Sabrina, Andrew, Jacob, David, Victoria and Brewer; three great-grandchildren: Fletcher, Eliza and Addison. Ben is predeceded in death by his parents, Laurence and Katarina (Salamon) Gombar; sisters: Bertha (Gombar) Pavelka and Frances (Gombar) Svihel; and brother, Rudolph Gombar. The family would like to thank the staff and administration of the Hoyt Nursing & Rehab Centre for all of their support and compassion during Ben's stay. MEMORIALS: Those planning an expression of sympathy may consider a donation to St. Dominic Parish - SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. In accordance with state-mandated ordinances a private funeral service will be held by Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State), Saginaw, MI 48603. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at www.DeislerFuneralHome.com
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Memories
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Celia Sullivan
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Dear Gombar Family I will always remember your days big smile and his laugh. Thank you for many happy memories growing up of card and game playing and your dads introduction to homemade wine. May the angels welcome him to paradise. Much Love to all of you and big hugs. Celia(Nacarato) Sullivan
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Lou Ann Banning
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Have known Ben and Gerry for many, many years. Our children went to school together at SS. Peter and Paul and Gerry and I worked there together. So sorry to hear of Ben's illness and passing. Prayers for the family. Lou Ann Banning
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Thomas & Kathleen Zieroff & sons
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Our family was blessed with meeting the Gombar family in 1981. David showed up at our door the day we moved in and that's when we developed a lifelong friendship. 17 years later the Gombar's helped us moved into our next home. So many memories...so much love. We are blessed to be a part of this huge group of fabulous humans. Ben can touch, hear and see God's face & words now that he is in paradise. Until we meet again.
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Jim Foley
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So sorry for your loss! Jim and Linda Foley
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LAURA CALLAHAN
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gombar family sorry for loss callahan family
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Chris Benson
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Sending condolences and prayers for the Gombar family. So very sorry to hear about the loss of one so dear. -- Chris & Al Benson