James D. Barrett Funeral Home and Cremation

Carl O. Bombarger Jr.

Age 91, passed away at the Elderwood Nursing facility in Waverly NY during the early morning hours of June 29th. A lifelong resident of the Elmira area, Carl was born on Pattinson Street and lived for many years on Sullivan Street with his wife, Agnes, where they raised four children. Carl was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes, following 47 years of marriage, by his son, Michael (Linda) and his granddaughter, Margaret. He is survived by his other three children, Carol (Kirk) Maurer, Vicki Reidy and Daniel Bombarger and by his brother Richard and his brother-in-law Frederick Dickinson. Carl was grandfather to 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren and he loved spending time with them. Carl started working at age 13 setting bowling pins at Dixie Lanes. At age 14 he started working for Western Union delivering telegrams by bicycle. Carl graduated from Elmira Free Academy in 1950 and was employed at Hardinge Manufacturing for the next 42 years. He started in the mailroom and over the years he advanced to the position of Manager of Marketing and Communications. His work style and approach to living placed a premium on engagement and friendships. Carl also served his community and country, spending several years in the National Guard, serving on Chemung County’s Solid Waste Management Board, serving as a Boy Scout troop leader and he volunteered for many years with the ARRP doing tax returns. Carl was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church in Horseheads. During their years together, Carl and Aggie loved traveling and camping. It was a normal site to look out on a lake and see Carl in the canoe with his beloved sheltie. Carl, “our Dad”, was an outgoing and engaging personality who appreciated “dad humor”, loved watching NCIS and playing golf, was a spirited Cribbage competitor and (a coincidently, a poor loser), a faithful Buffalo Bills fan and a guy who really loved life. In the last many hours since his passing, he has been described repeatedly as a “wonderful man”. He will be greatly missed. Family and friends are invited to call on Monday, July 8th from 3 to 6 pm at the James D. Barrett Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow there at 6 pm. Interment will take place on Tuesday, July 9th at 11 am in Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to Eldridge Park in Carl’s name.