David Gombac

It is with shock and immense sadness that we announce the sudden passing of David Gombac on Sunday, September 17, 2023. David was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 28, 1958 to Frank and Irene Gombac. He grew up in Bridgeport on the South Side of Chicago in the shadow of Comiskey Park. He was exceptionally proud of his Chicago roots including his attendance at St. Ignatius College Prep which enabled him to apply and be accepted as an A.B. Duke Scholar at Duke University. David had a genuine, unparalleled love of books. While at Duke, instead of studying, he often spent his time in the stacks of the East Campus library perusing its collection. And thus, many a late night was spent cramming for the next day’s exam. At Duke, he met Jocelyn whom he quickly fell in love with. They became inseparable except at parties where they preferred to socialize so as not to be that ‘annoying couple.’ David and Jocelyn lived in many places before settling in Newark, Delaware. They moved from North Carolina to Los Angeles to New York to Switzerland to New York to North Carolina to Chicago to New York to New Jersey and finally, to Newark where they were happy to buy their first house. In Newark, David was able to finally build a library where he could see the wealth of books he had collected over the years. Professionally, David served as a freelance copy editor for Oxford University Press where he corrected facts and finessed the language of the experts. And he also worked as a full-time copy editor at Institutional Investors. David is survived by his beloved wife of forty years, Jocelyn and his beloved sister, Susan Appa. He was the proud Uncle of his nephews, Alexander Appa, Jeffrey and Michael Eisenstein, Adam Raudonis and Shar Steiman and his nieces, Lauren Tobias, Marcia Segall, and Synthia Steiman. He was the proud great Uncle of Corinne, Claire, Levi, Emily, and Olivia. Finally, David is survived by his many cousins who meant so very much to him. The Downs family, the Lizik family and the Baltikas brood were always in his heart; he often wished that he could see them one more time. And yes, he did hope for one more White Sox game sitting between Tim and Michael. He cherished his memories of those simpler, carefree days. David will fondly be remembered with much love as the one who reminded us that ‘still waters run deep’. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made in David’s name to St. Ignatius College Prep Tuition Assistance Program at https://www.ignatius.org/giving/invest-in-ignatius/donate . Services will be private. To send an online condolence visit www.stranofeeley.com.

David Gombac

April 28, 1958 - September 17, 2023

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