TimesLeader.com

PA: ‘Thanks for the memories, Doc’

By Josh Horton

In the 42-year history of Pittston Area football, quarterbacks, running backs and even coaches have come and gone. But one thing remained the same: the team physician was always Dr. Joseph Lombardo. Until this year, that is.

click image to enlarge

PA Superintendent George Cosgrove, PA Principal Jack Lussi, Dr. Ross Latona holding his son, Assistant Principal John Haas, school director Marty Quinn, Dr. Lombardo, athletic director Charlie Turco, and school directors Mike McAndrew, Tony Guariglia, and Mark Singer.

Select images available for purchase in the
Times Leader Photo Store

After last season, Dr. Lombardo decided to call it quits.

On Friday night, Pittston Area School District honored Lombardo on the field before the game presenting him with a plaque commemorating his 40-plus years of dedication. Lombardo said he was appointed team doctor by late Mayor Bob Loftus and Tony Ferrara and he has had nothing but good memories. He has seen more than 400 games and has only missed two.

Lombardo knew last year was his final year, and after the Wyoming Area game, he walked onto the field and tried to soak it all in. “I tried to soak up as much of the fun I had had in the past 40 years. For example, the fireworks, the cheerleaders parading around hugging their boyfriends and the players’ families. I walked off the field with tears in my eyes,” said Lombardo.

The doctor’s son Michael Lombardo, a former mayor of Pittston, who played for the Patriots during his dad’s tenure, said he watched his dad wrestle with this decision. “My father really struggled with this decision. It was one of the most difficult decisions he has ever had to make,” Lombardo said.

Before Friday night’s ceremonies the last time Dr. Lombardo was at Charley Trippi Stadium was for the late Joshua Miller’s funeral. Joshua Miller was the state trooper who was killed in the line of duty. It was a tough way for Lombardo to come back to Pittston Area.

“This is a lousy way to end my memorable events at Pittston Area. As I was thinking this, I looked at the flag flying half mast for Joshua. I thought of all the years I have been here I thought about the wins and the losses and I never really thought about all those young people that have died. I thought to myself, this is a lousy, lousy way to be on the field for the last time. So, when I got the call that they were honoring me tonight, it kind of erased some of those bad memories,” said Dr. Lombardo

Lombardo received a commendation from President Richard Nixon and Governor Milton Schapp for his Meritorious Service during the Vietnam War. Lombardo also started the Antracosiliosis (black lung) Clinic at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and served pro bono in clinic for 15 years.

“The presence of Dr. Lombardo will be missed. He is a brilliant guy and was a great team doctor and I just want to wish him the best in anything he does,” said Pittston Area Superintendent George Cosgrove.

Many people in the Greater Pittston area feel that his ability to put together an outfit was just as great as his medical abilities.

“I can’t remember a Friday night since I have been in this district that Dr. Lombardo wasn’t on the sidelines. He is the best dressed team doctor in the state of Pennsylvania,” said Pittston Area Senior High School Principal John Haas.

Pittston Area assistant coach Jason Mills said, “In 1997 our coach Tony Marranca was a diabetic and we were in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs in Lake Wallenpaupack. We won and at the end of the game, Marranca’s sugar dropped and he passed out. Dr. Lombardo was halfway home, but he came back to work on Marranca.”

Everyone involved with Pittston Area athletics really appreciates Dr. Lombardo’s work and they will miss his presence. It seems like everyone had a memory about Dr. Lombardo.

“All the people that I have met and the wonderful relationships I have made, it is hard to believe it has been 40 years,” said Dr. Lombardo.

Lombardo knew when it was his time to retire.

“There is a time and a place for everything,” Lombardo said, “a beginning and an end.”

Lombardo describes his career much like the Elton John song, “Circle of Life”.

He feels his career has come full circle.