Clint Lombardo

Clint Michael Lombardo – (May 9, 1965 – April 21, 2022). Also known as “Clinto”, "The Lad” and “Clintankerous”. He recently got a kick out of being referred to as “that grandpa guy” by a neighbor kid, though he isn’t actually a grandfather. Clint’s early life was spent seeking mischief. Growing up in downtown Chicago, he spent his days skateboarding down high-rise parking garage ramps...then taking the elevator up and doing it again. His family moved to the northwest side where he attended Murphy Elementary School and met his to-this-day buddies who continued to indulge in shenanigans. Dave, Kenny, Larry, and Jerry are among the characters in a variety of stories ranging from getting caught underage drinking beer while watching cars drive by on the Kennedy to considering selling “Pope on a Rope” during John Paul II’s visit to Chicago – a business venture that thankfully never launched beyond Carlyon basement chatter. He pretty much breezed through Lane Tech High School while playing football and attending classes as little as possible. Just after graduation, his friend Mark died in a motorcycle accident – something that rattled Clint enough for him to preach to anyone who rode that they better wear a helmet because he “wasn’t going to any more motorcycle funerals”. Indeed, when Clint bought a hideous purple Honda 750 later in life or when he rode Tricia’s shiny red scooter, he always wore a helmet. In 1984 Clint met the love of his life, Tricia McMeekin. They dated for six years before getting married in a non-denominational chapel in the woods because, well, he just wasn’t an organized religion kind of guy. This stance would change slightly when their daughters Chelsea and Shana were born and they had to be baptized to attend Our Lady of Victory school. A dear friend and neighbor Mary Prisching advised that her children were baptized low-key at a United Church of Christ and “it would count” for OLV. Come OLV registration time, that wasn’t actually the case. Much to his chagrin, his daughters were now baptized into two organized religions. Chelsea and Shana were truly Clint’s best friends and the unconditional joys in his life. Together, they attended museums, and concerts traveled and engaged in endless group text banter. Clint was extremely proud and fiercely protective of his daughters, who tried their best to never make it on “the list” as he would say. (“Keep it up and you’ll be on the list!”. We never knew what that list was.)Clint so enjoyed watching his daughters grow up alongside the Prischings and other neighborhood kids. Our Berteau block was better than Mayberry: The men hung in the alley talking sports, watching kids ride bikes, and repairing occasional firework damage. He loved to tell the story of walking home from work and seeing a young neighbor boy dangling from a streetlight while the other kids pulled the rope, replicating an aerial maneuver they had seen on a Cirque de Soleil commercial. “Every day is an adventure” he would say, shaking his head. After bunking in at the Prischings’ Merrimac house for nearly 30 summers, Clint decided it was finally time to buy a lake house of our own in 2021. To say that was his happy place is an understatement. He quickly immersed himself in Wisconsin culture, watching eagles fly, taking daily hikes, calling out “Hey dere!” to unsuspecting neighbors all while making it his mission to get a Moscow Mule and boiled fish at the local supper clubs. He quickly learned Wisconsin supper clubs are not known for Moscow Mules or boiled fish. He was so excited to invite his family, parents Scott and Cheryl, sister Cari's family & the girls’ friends up to enjoy the lake house. In fact, as soon as he bought it, he started looking for a larger home to host these gatherings. This was to be his retirement dream home if he ever decided to retire from USG where he’s worked among friends for 35 years. His sister Cari remembers him fondly as the "golden child" and "instigator", with his wry sense of humor on display when making a statement with a sly grin just to see the reaction from others. His childlike love of life came through as he spent time playing video games with his nephews online. Clint also had a love of Chicago sports. Each baseball season he could be found at a Sox game even though he grew up just miles from Wrigley Field. He was generous to a fault taking friends and family to baseball, football, and hockey games. Clint transitioned into his next life peacefully in his sleep. That’s the only real consolation we have for losing him at 56 years old. He lived his life with no regrets, no grudges, no drama, choosing to see the good in everyone. We aspire to live our lives the same way.Clint will be missed by his parents Scott and Cheryl, his sister Cari (Rob) Beake, daughters Chelsea and Shana, mother-in-law Betty (Mike) Szwiec, uncle Ed (Judy) Laskey, Aunt Dee Schmitt, uncle Dale (Kerry) Smith, brothers-in-law Brian (Sandra) McMeekin and David (Carol) McMeekin; nephews Owen, Ethan, and David Jr, niece Brianna, cousins Eddie and Stephanie and far too many friends to try to list. Mostly he will be missed by Tricia, who may never figure out how to work the three remotes that run the tv.Please join us at a Celebration of Life gathering on Thursday, April 28th from 3 pm to 8 pm in the private room at Gman Tavern, 3740 N. Clark, Chicago 60613. Open parking is available at the hot dog to stand across Clark Street. Live music and well-crafted "Merrimac Mules" will be featured in his honor. In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated for the Garrido Stray Rescue Fund https://secure.egsnetwork.com/donate/55CC8F0B30B6463 from where we obtained his constant sidekick, Puppy.