John A. Gombaski of Norton passed away suddenly at his home in Norton, December 29, 2012. He was born on April 19, 1945 in Barberton, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, John P. and Rose M. Gombaski and siblings, Leonard Gombaski and Mary Neal. A lifelong resident of Norton, Ohio he graduated from Norton High School in 1963 and served in the United States Army ,15 months in Vietnam as a helicopter technician He achieved the rank of sergeant. After leaving the army, John and Leonard P. Gombaski of Barberton, Ohio partnered in G and G Auto Body repair. Later John found employment at several area factories. Hamlin Steel Products, in Akron, being his last employer; he worked as a machine operator until his retirement in 2011. March 10th, 1971, he married Vici L. Bryan, from Portage Lakes in Akron. John enjoyed the country life and the wondrous beauty of nature. He loved music as well as being a contributing member of his wife's musical group, the Mixed-Up Strings folk music group from Barberton, Ohio. His creativity encompassed writing poetry and lyrics for music. He had been a gifted cartoon artist which began in his early years. He explained he simply drew around what he saw on the paper. He loved animals especially his cats and one very special rabbit, Bender. Over the years the Gombaski's shared their lives with numerous pets: cats, horses, goats, rabbits, chickens, dogs and even a pig. John's kindness, generosity,quick wit and devilish sense of humor endeared him to all who were fortunate enough to know him. A friend to everyone, John seldom had anything negative to say about anyone. A gentle and loving man, he embraced his immediate and extended family. John is survived by his wife, Vici Gombaski, of Norton, his in-laws, Keith and Pam Bryan, of Akron, several nieces and nephews (Debbie Homes, Lisa Holley, L. Paul Gombaski, Cheryl Simon, Buddy Neal, Nicole Major of Ohio, Kelly Williams of Texas, and Mary Stewart of Kentucky), and numerous cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews. A memorial celebration will be scheduled later in the spring (2013). He will be interred at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio, arrangements by the Swigart-Easterling Funeral Home. For information call 330 854-2356. A fund to assist with John's final expenses has been established at Keybank. Donations to the John Gombaski Benevolent Fund may be made at any Keybank location.

Memorial Gathering

June 28th Friday, 3 pm to 8 pm, at the Silver Creek Metro Park in Norton, OH, located at the Sherman Shelter, just above the Bathhouse. 5000 Hametown Rd., Norton 44203

( http://www.summitmetroparks.org/parksandtrails/SilverCreek.aspx )

The Memorial will consist of a covered dish dinner, sharing of memories and jamming through the afternoon (live music). Please, bring an entrAC.e or desert, a table service, chair/s, and musical instruments, if you play. We will honor and celebrate two of the things John enjoyed most in life... food and music! Pastor James Ellison will lead a brief Memorial Service at 6:00 PM. (John's ashes will be interred at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio, at a future date. We are requesting that you take a few minutes to write down a memory, include a picture, drawing or carA