Mark Dombroski Laid To Rest In Pennsylvania
Mark Dombroski, who died following a fall in Bermuda, has been laid to rest, with his family, friends and school mates paying tribute to the 19-year-old rugby player at his memorial service this past weekend.
Delaware Online reported, “It was a year ago when John Dombroski was in a water-skiing accident, finding himself dazed in water with rope wrapped around his arm — an accident so serious he almost lost his arm.
“I remember floating in the water after being knocked unconscious for a few seconds and looking up. The first sight I see is my brother Mark jumping in, trying to help,” John said at Mark’s standing-room-only funeral service at Archmere Academy on Saturday, nearly three weeks after the 19-year-old fell to his death in Bermuda.
“A year after the water-skiing accident, John and his brother Kevin found themselves there for their younger brother. As hundreds of people searched Bermuda for Mark after he disappeared on March 18, it was John and Kevin who discovered their brother’s body.
Video courtesy of Delaware Online:
“Just as Mark had been there for them over the years, they were the first ones by his side after tragedy struck, a moment not lost on their mother, Lisa.
“Lisa describes it as a gift from God — something extraordinary,” the Rev. Joseph McLaughlin said at Saturday’s service, which was overflowing with Mark’s family, friends, teammates and coaches.
“Our hearts are full of sadness and despair, but it also brings back so many happy memories [being back],” Lisa Dombroski said as bagpipes wheezed somberly nearby. “Archmere has been so good to us and have been such a family to us. They’ve lifted us up.”
“Some of Mark’s teammates served as pallbearers Saturday at both the service and at Calvary Cemetery in Media.
“We always knew he was a special light in our family, but he was also a good kid to a lot of people, helping friends through tough times,” Lisa added. “I think his purpose in life was to bring joy to people.
“There’s a lot of sadness that we experience in life, and I think he really focused on the right things. His priorities were right. He wasn’t a straight-A student, but he took the time to help other people.”
“Speaking at the service, Mark’s brother John echoed his mother’s words.
“We always knew how special of a kid he was, but it’s beautiful to hear about all the lives he impacted in such a positive way,” he added. “So many different people came up to me and told me how they were shy or didn’t have many friends. Mark would always go out of his way to make them feel welcome and loved. Whether it was sitting and having lunch with them or being a shoulder to cry on, Mark was there.”
In lieu of flowers, the family asked that contributions be made to the newly formed Mark Dombroski Foundation, which will focus on youth education, athletics and safety. Donations are accepted online at gofundme.com/mark-dombroski.
