Obituary for Gary Bombard
Gary Bombard, 62, passed away peacefully with his wife and daughters by his side on January 27, 2022. Gary died of complications from a liver transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital after a long, hard fight to survive.
Gary was the oldest son of Francis & Annette Bombard. He grew up in Winooski attending and graduating from Winooski High School in 1977. In 1979, Gary married the love of his life, Laurie (Mazza) at Holy Cross Church in Colchester. Together they had two daughters.
After graduation Gary became an electrical apprentice. He then went on to work at General Electric Supply co. and then Yankee Electric Supply Co. In 1996 Gary joined his wife, Laurie and her family running the family farm (Sam Mazza’s Farm Market) in Colchester.
Gary wore many hats at the farm. He did maintenance and repair, researched and accomplished many projects. He always credited his grandfather for his repair skills. One of his first projects was the petting zoo. Zak, Annie, Pedro, Joey and JoJo became part of his family. Gary loved sharing his animals with all the visitors that came to the farm. Gary was also instrumental in starting the first Strawberry Festival in 1996 in memory of his mother-in-law Annette Mazza. Gary gave tractor rides to many children that visited the farm in the fall to pick a pumpkin. He was always a friendly face at the Farm Market. He enjoyed visiting and helping the customers with whatever they needed. Gary became more involved in growing vegetables on the farm. He enjoyed working with the workers from Jamaica always treating them the way he wanted to be treated.
Gary enjoyed the outdoors. He loved to hunt, fish and work out in the sun. He hunted in Ontario with his good friends, Brett, Timmy, Wally and Emily shooting his first 12pt. whitetail. Gary and Laurie enjoyed vacationing in the Florida Keys and then the Cape Coral area. It was always a welcomed break before the start of another busy farming season. Gary loved to BBQ, always the Grill Master at every party. He gave Laurie a 60th Birthday party to remember (out of much love) right before he became very ill.
Gary loved his grandchildren. He was proudly named Pepa by his oldest granddaughter Kaylyn, when she was old enough to talk. He liked to teach them small lessons hoping he was giving them skills for their futures. Because they all lived close to the farm, he saw them all the time.
Gary leaves behind his loving wife of 42 years, Laurie, His beloved daughters, Melanie Bennett (Bobby), Elizabeth Bombard and partner Jeffrey Bougor. Grandchildren Kaylyn, Ciera, Adam, Becky, Colton and Caroline. His brother Chris and wife Kathy (FL), Aunts, Rita Mead (Bill) and Lucille Pidgeon (Wayne). Sisters-in-law Cheryl Mazza Patterson (Steve), Annette Carrier (Jeff), Melissa Mazza (Jake), Theresa Mazza, Yvonne McClellan and brother-in-law, Paul Mazza. He also leaves many nieces, nephews and cousins. Gary is predeceased by his father (Francis), mother (Annette), maternal (Armand & Angela) and paternal (Jason & Alma) grandparents.
We would like to express our appreciation to the nurses in Blake 12 ICU at Massachusetts General Hospital. Throughout Gary's extended stay in the ICU, he was always treated with dignity and respect. The compassionate care was much appreciated by his family. His nurses all grew very fond of him and we could feel their sadness in his passing.
Gary required many blood products during his long illness. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Red Cross by calling 1-800-HelpNow or visiting them online at RedCross.org. Donations can also be made to Mass General Transplant Center at Giving.MassGeneral.org
Gary was the oldest son of Francis & Annette Bombard. He grew up in Winooski attending and graduating from Winooski High School in 1977. In 1979, Gary married the love of his life, Laurie (Mazza) at Holy Cross Church in Colchester. Together they had two daughters.
After graduation Gary became an electrical apprentice. He then went on to work at General Electric Supply co. and then Yankee Electric Supply Co. In 1996 Gary joined his wife, Laurie and her family running the family farm (Sam Mazza’s Farm Market) in Colchester.
Gary wore many hats at the farm. He did maintenance and repair, researched and accomplished many projects. He always credited his grandfather for his repair skills. One of his first projects was the petting zoo. Zak, Annie, Pedro, Joey and JoJo became part of his family. Gary loved sharing his animals with all the visitors that came to the farm. Gary was also instrumental in starting the first Strawberry Festival in 1996 in memory of his mother-in-law Annette Mazza. Gary gave tractor rides to many children that visited the farm in the fall to pick a pumpkin. He was always a friendly face at the Farm Market. He enjoyed visiting and helping the customers with whatever they needed. Gary became more involved in growing vegetables on the farm. He enjoyed working with the workers from Jamaica always treating them the way he wanted to be treated.
Gary enjoyed the outdoors. He loved to hunt, fish and work out in the sun. He hunted in Ontario with his good friends, Brett, Timmy, Wally and Emily shooting his first 12pt. whitetail. Gary and Laurie enjoyed vacationing in the Florida Keys and then the Cape Coral area. It was always a welcomed break before the start of another busy farming season. Gary loved to BBQ, always the Grill Master at every party. He gave Laurie a 60th Birthday party to remember (out of much love) right before he became very ill.
Gary loved his grandchildren. He was proudly named Pepa by his oldest granddaughter Kaylyn, when she was old enough to talk. He liked to teach them small lessons hoping he was giving them skills for their futures. Because they all lived close to the farm, he saw them all the time.
Gary leaves behind his loving wife of 42 years, Laurie, His beloved daughters, Melanie Bennett (Bobby), Elizabeth Bombard and partner Jeffrey Bougor. Grandchildren Kaylyn, Ciera, Adam, Becky, Colton and Caroline. His brother Chris and wife Kathy (FL), Aunts, Rita Mead (Bill) and Lucille Pidgeon (Wayne). Sisters-in-law Cheryl Mazza Patterson (Steve), Annette Carrier (Jeff), Melissa Mazza (Jake), Theresa Mazza, Yvonne McClellan and brother-in-law, Paul Mazza. He also leaves many nieces, nephews and cousins. Gary is predeceased by his father (Francis), mother (Annette), maternal (Armand & Angela) and paternal (Jason & Alma) grandparents.
We would like to express our appreciation to the nurses in Blake 12 ICU at Massachusetts General Hospital. Throughout Gary's extended stay in the ICU, he was always treated with dignity and respect. The compassionate care was much appreciated by his family. His nurses all grew very fond of him and we could feel their sadness in his passing.
Gary required many blood products during his long illness. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Red Cross by calling 1-800-HelpNow or visiting them online at RedCross.org. Donations can also be made to Mass General Transplant Center at Giving.MassGeneral.org