Douglas J.

Comboni, Sr

Entomology Hobbyist And Naturalist Instrumental In Saving Open Space

Douglas J. Comboni, 76, of Fairfield, devoted husband of Harriet Haller Lajoie Comboni, died February 3 at Maefair Health Care Center, Trumbull. Born in Bridgeport, April 28, 1931, he was the son of Michael and Rose Seimo Comboni.

In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by Fred Lajoie of Newtown; and grandchildren Jason Barker and Dakota Lajoie of Newtown. He is survived by his children, Kate Panda and her fiancée, Dwayne Baker, of Stratford, Michele Anastasia and her husband, David, of Westport, Bruce D. Comboni and his partner, Dawn Mastrinardi, of Shelton, and Douglas J. Comboni, Jr, of Bridgeport; other grandchildren, Dawn and Robert Panda, Denise Reyes and her husband, Miguel, of Bridgeport, Zach Comboni of Trumbull, Isabella Comboni of Boca Raton, Fla., Brett and Heidi Barker of Watertown, and Steven, Nicole, and Noelle Anastasia; great-grandchildren, Michelle Lynn Panda, Michayla and Diana Reyes, and Dylan and Cole Barker; several nieces and nephews; Don and Debra Barker of Watertown; Richard and Helen Haller of Magnolia, Del.; Walter and Irene Haller of Hamden; Norman and Joy Haller of Eaton; Audrey Haller of Stepney; and Lavinia Haller Beardsley and Margaret Haller Schwartz of Shelton.

Mr Comboni was a US Army Korean War veteran. He was retired from Handy & Harmon, and was a founding member of the Trumbull Land Trust, past member of the Connecticut Audubon Bird Craft Museum in Fairfield where he served on the Board of Governors, a 50-year member and former treasurer of the Connecticut Entomological Society, New Haven and the UConn State Museum of Natural History. He co-authored two papers on rare tiger beetles that he had collected and per his request, his large insect collection consisting of 5,000 species will be used for teaching purposes in the collections at Yale Peabody Museum, New Haven, and Harvard College.

Mr Comboni was instrumental in saving the Trumbull Pequonnock Valley for open space. He collected flora and fauna, documented with photographs presented to the Nichols Historical Society.

His family was very proud of him.

Mr Comboni was a lifelong member of the Grace Episcopal Church and at his request, burial was private.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Trumbull Land Trust, Inc, PMB 150, 4 Daniels Farm Road, Trumbull CT 06611.

The Newtown Bee       February 15, 2008