A veteran restaurateur, colorful figure in Bridgeport for 50 Years. He was married to Ellen Lyons Lombard. They had two daughters, Mrs. Katherine Larson, organist in St. Augustine’s church and Mrs. Helen Williams; three sons, William R., Richard F. Jr., and John J.; and 14 grandchildren. Ellen and Ruth Larson, Katherine, John and Richard Williams; Richard J., Gerald, Patrick, David, Richard III, John, Robert, James and Richard Francis Lombard. Born in Ballyhooly, County Cork, Ireland, in 1869. Mr. Lombard came to this country in 1891 and found his first employment in Milford. Two years later, he married Ellen Lyons, his early sweetheart from Mitcheltown, County Cork, Ireland, who preceded him to the United States by a year.
He found employment, after his marriage, in manufacturing plants here, and soon saved enough to open a restaurant and retail liquor business. In the last years, his establishment had been located at 980 Railroad Avenue. The nickname, “Good Luck” which later became his trademark, originated from his practice of unfailingly saying “Good Luck” to customers when they bought a drink. Affiliated with the early Irish American societies, he was active in the movement in support of Home Rule for Ireland. He was widely traveled, making many trips to his home in Ireland, and on one occasion, circumnavigating the globe. He was the first man from Bridgeport to fly from Ireland to this country. A person of many interests, Mr. Lombard at one time entered the circus field forming a partnership with Carl Hatheway of the Ringling Brothers show. At one time, he was the owner of valuable property in Florida, and also was the owner of a brewery in this city which he had run as a Speakeasy during Prohibition, which he sold later. He was one of the organizers and directors of the West Side bank, a life member of the Elks, and a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Full Permit Restaurant Owners association. Two notable anniversaries in the life of Mr. and Mrs. Lombard were their 45th wedding anniversary, held at Mary Journey’s Inn, at which 262 friends gathered to pay tribute to them. Bill Steinke from radio station WJZ, and former Bridgeport Post cartoonist, was the master of ceremonies and Mayor Jasper McLevy headed the list of speakers. That was on Feb. 14, 1938. Five years later, they observed their golden wedding at their home on Fairfield Avenue. Mr. Lombard observed his 77th birthday in St. Vincent’s hospital, April 9th, while under treatment for the heart ailment to which he succumbed. He passed away at home less than three weeks later.
He found employment, after his marriage, in manufacturing plants here, and soon saved enough to open a restaurant and retail liquor business. In the last years, his establishment had been located at 980 Railroad Avenue. The nickname, “Good Luck” which later became his trademark, originated from his practice of unfailingly saying “Good Luck” to customers when they bought a drink. Affiliated with the early Irish American societies, he was active in the movement in support of Home Rule for Ireland. He was widely traveled, making many trips to his home in Ireland, and on one occasion, circumnavigating the globe. He was the first man from Bridgeport to fly from Ireland to this country. A person of many interests, Mr. Lombard at one time entered the circus field forming a partnership with Carl Hatheway of the Ringling Brothers show. At one time, he was the owner of valuable property in Florida, and also was the owner of a brewery in this city which he had run as a Speakeasy during Prohibition, which he sold later. He was one of the organizers and directors of the West Side bank, a life member of the Elks, and a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Full Permit Restaurant Owners association. Two notable anniversaries in the life of Mr. and Mrs. Lombard were their 45th wedding anniversary, held at Mary Journey’s Inn, at which 262 friends gathered to pay tribute to them. Bill Steinke from radio station WJZ, and former Bridgeport Post cartoonist, was the master of ceremonies and Mayor Jasper McLevy headed the list of speakers. That was on Feb. 14, 1938. Five years later, they observed their golden wedding at their home on Fairfield Avenue. Mr. Lombard observed his 77th birthday in St. Vincent’s hospital, April 9th, while under treatment for the heart ailment to which he succumbed. He passed away at home less than three weeks later.
A veteran restaurateur, colorful figure in Bridgeport for 50 Years. He was married to Ellen Lyons Lombard. They had two daughters, Mrs. Katherine Larson, organist in St. Augustine’s church and Mrs. Helen Williams; three sons, William R., Richard F. Jr., and John J.; and 14 grandchildren. Ellen and Ruth Larson, Katherine, John and Richard Williams; Richard J., Gerald, Patrick, David, Richard III, John, Robert, James and Richard Francis Lombard. Born in Ballyhooly, County Cork, Ireland, in 1869. Mr. Lombard came to this country in 1891 and found his first employment in Milford. Two years later, he married Ellen Lyons, his early sweetheart from Mitcheltown, County Cork, Ireland, who preceded him to the United States by a year.
He found employment, after his marriage, in manufacturing plants here, and soon saved enough to open a restaurant and retail liquor business. In the last years, his establishment had been located at 980 Railroad Avenue. The nickname, “Good Luck” which later became his trademark, originated from his practice of unfailingly saying “Good Luck” to customers when they bought a drink. Affiliated with the early Irish American societies, he was active in the movement in support of Home Rule for Ireland. He was widely traveled, making many trips to his home in Ireland, and on one occasion, circumnavigating the globe. He was the first man from Bridgeport to fly from Ireland to this country. A person of many interests, Mr. Lombard at one time entered the circus field forming a partnership with Carl Hatheway of the Ringling Brothers show. At one time, he was the owner of valuable property in Florida, and also was the owner of a brewery in this city which he had run as a Speakeasy during Prohibition, which he sold later. He was one of the organizers and directors of the West Side bank, a life member of the Elks, and a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Full Permit Restaurant Owners association. Two notable anniversaries in the life of Mr. and Mrs. Lombard were their 45th wedding anniversary, held at Mary Journey’s Inn, at which 262 friends gathered to pay tribute to them. Bill Steinke from radio station WJZ, and former Bridgeport Post cartoonist, was the master of ceremonies and Mayor Jasper McLevy headed the list of speakers. That was on Feb. 14, 1938. Five years later, they observed their golden wedding at their home on Fairfield Avenue. Mr. Lombard observed his 77th birthday in St. Vincent’s hospital, April 9th, while under treatment for the heart ailment to which he succumbed. He passed away at home less than three weeks later.
He found employment, after his marriage, in manufacturing plants here, and soon saved enough to open a restaurant and retail liquor business. In the last years, his establishment had been located at 980 Railroad Avenue. The nickname, “Good Luck” which later became his trademark, originated from his practice of unfailingly saying “Good Luck” to customers when they bought a drink. Affiliated with the early Irish American societies, he was active in the movement in support of Home Rule for Ireland. He was widely traveled, making many trips to his home in Ireland, and on one occasion, circumnavigating the globe. He was the first man from Bridgeport to fly from Ireland to this country. A person of many interests, Mr. Lombard at one time entered the circus field forming a partnership with Carl Hatheway of the Ringling Brothers show. At one time, he was the owner of valuable property in Florida, and also was the owner of a brewery in this city which he had run as a Speakeasy during Prohibition, which he sold later. He was one of the organizers and directors of the West Side bank, a life member of the Elks, and a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Full Permit Restaurant Owners association. Two notable anniversaries in the life of Mr. and Mrs. Lombard were their 45th wedding anniversary, held at Mary Journey’s Inn, at which 262 friends gathered to pay tribute to them. Bill Steinke from radio station WJZ, and former Bridgeport Post cartoonist, was the master of ceremonies and Mayor Jasper McLevy headed the list of speakers. That was on Feb. 14, 1938. Five years later, they observed their golden wedding at their home on Fairfield Avenue. Mr. Lombard observed his 77th birthday in St. Vincent’s hospital, April 9th, while under treatment for the heart ailment to which he succumbed. He passed away at home less than three weeks later.
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