A MARK IN OUR HISTORY

(June 23, 1949 – August 19, 2017)

          If one were to chronicle a history of the Cortland Church of Christ over the last two decades, Mark Lombardi’s name would surface often.  He served our church family as a deacon, an elder, and most recently a deacon once again.  He taught Bible classes, led prayers, presided at the Lord’s Table and took a leading role in our Lads-to-Leaders ministry.  For twenty-eight consecutive years, Mark served nobly as an anchor counselor at our annual Camp 2:52 Summer Youth Retreat.  As camp medic, he gently extracted stingers & splinters and bandaged-up scrapes & bruises.  Over the years there were several occasions when he escorted campers and or counselors to the emergency room of local hospitals.  He was the spearhead for our camp survival-of-the-fittest event.  During the week of camp he almost seemed ubiquitous (everywhere) and yet he was always-accessible, easy-to-find and eager-to-help.  His booming voice was frequently employed to grab everyone’s attention.  As an ever-present pillar of the church, Mark could be seen at Bible classes, worship assemblies, church picnics, simple suppers, funerals, weddings and all in between.  Whatever was hap- pening with the church, Mark & J could be counted upon to be present and actively involved.  Mark was a big man with an even bigger heart (a true servant).  Like a Colossus, Mark stood at the sanctuary double doors welcoming all who entered, and, in keeping with his training, was ever vigilant for any thing amiss.  Our dear brother has left behind shoes impossible to fill.   Our church family loved him dearly and will miss him sorely.  As a U.S. Marine, a deputy for the Geauga County Sheriff’s department, and more recently, The Chief Of Police for the quaint village of Hiram, our faith-ful friend, Mark Lombardi, was well-loved and highly-respected by many well beyond our church family.  HOW WE ALL WILL MISS HIM IMMENSELY!

          Some thirty or so years ago, I had the privilege of studying the Bible with Mark and baptizing him into Christ Jesus.  He was the biggest man I ever immersed.  Throughout our partnership in the gospel of Christ, one thing that always impressed me about Mark was how he was able to inte-grate with people of all ages.  The younger ones loved him.  Grieving a world away is Libby Wood in Afghanistan.  How her heart must ache not to be present to pay her final respects to “Henry”.  But it wasn’t just the young, the older folks loved him as well.  My heart delighted to witness Mark take Jack Simpson under his wings at the annual Pepperdine Bible Lectures.  Mark Lombardi was a man for all seasons (2Tim.4:2), and now he be-longs to the ages.  Most importantly - - he has now taken up permanent residence in the shadow of The Almighty (Ps.91:1).  Shalom, dear friend.

                                                                                       Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ