Edward Joseph Bomba Sr.

Edward Joseph Bomba Sr., husband to Beverly Dorman Bomba and lifelong Seymour resident, entered into eternal rest Sept. 3, 2021. He was born July 11, 1928 to the late Joseph and Mary Bomba. In addition to his wife Beverly, those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Darlene B.  Zawisza (Gary) of Ansonia, granddaughter, Desiree L. Zawisza of Seymour; Son, Edward J. Bomba, Jr., daughter Hollie and wife, Lisa of Seymour and sister, Alfreda B. Garbien of Seymour. He had a special bond with numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by grandson, Colby E. Zawisza, sisters, Matilda B. Hricko, Victoria B. Kozak and Sally Bomba. Also, brothers: his twin, John, (passed at birth), Stanley, Walter, Stephen, Theodore, John and Eugene.

Ed was Co-Owner and President of Bomba Bros. Dairy, Inc. It is located at the highest level in Seymour, atop of Great Hill, 640 feet above sea level. You can view Long Island Sound from the farmyard.

He was a Charter Member of the Great Hill Hose, Company, Member of the Connecticut Farm Bureau and former member of the Seymour Grange. Ed was very proud of his Polish heritage, particularly proud of being able to preserve 62 acres of farmland with the State of Connecticut in 2010, forever remaining a farm, a haven for wildlife.

The homestead was built in 1788 for Priest Abner Smith. He resided in the home 43 years. The communion set, as pictured in the book, Seymour Past and Present was displayed in the farmhouse. It is said when Priest Smith brought communion to his parishioners, (on horseback), he would sometimes return home ~ slightly “under the weather”.

Ed loved his farm with his heart and soul.  For many years he and his brother Gene (planted, by hand) 2,000 plants of tomatoes and peppers (each), by hand. A ball of string was used to be sure they had a straight line the full length of each row.

He and his brothers, at one time, milked 75 head of Holsteins by hand every day, twice a day until they purchased milking machines. Cows are fed in the barn until they are two years old, then put out to pasture. It is healthier than being in a barn. A pasteurizing plant was on the premises. After cows were milked, the raw milk was brought into the plant for pasteurization.

The Bomba Farm Dairy consisted of three milk routes throughout the Valley. Brothers Ted and Gene and Ed delivered milk, including by—products such as cottage cheese, sour cream, chocolate milk (everyone loved), buttermilk, etc. Ed took a course at the University of Connecticut where he learned to make the products…the best, ever.  He loved making home-made butter with his family for the holidays in the butter churn he purchased for his mother with his first paycheck as a young man.

Home delivery of milk was until 1975 when it became necessary to terminate home delivery due to rising operating costs every year. A very difficult decision was made by Walter, Ed and Eugene to terminate the operation of the dairy.

Ed had numerous hobbies. A favorite, in his spare time, was making ox yokes for his oxen. His favorite team, Duke and Diamond weighed 2, 500 pounds each and pulled 10,000 pounds at The Danbury State Fair in 1950, winning him a Blue Ribbon. He traveled throughout the state, competing in fairs. His scrapbook includes every ribbon he won throughout the years. His favorite fair was Danbury State. He won a total of 40 ribbons at Danbury.  The fair began in 1869 and sadly closed in 1981. Throughout the years he made large ox yokes for numerous family members, hung above their fireplaces. He began designing covered wagon lamps in later years, gifting them to family as well. They depicted life in the 1800’s. The lamps were 20 X 20 and consisted of every minute detail, going west. The lamps were covered with muslin.  The last, made in 2011, was for home.

Ed’s other hobbies were as a Caller for Square Dancing. He called with The Stardust Rangers and sometimes played the accordion with the band. As a member of the Seymour Grange the group put on shows which were a howl for audiences. He loved making Cabbage Soup, just like his ma made and taught everyone how to make it. He loved the farm with his entire heart and soul, especially in spring time as fields were prepared for planting crops.

The “Country Store” brought him so much pleasure, greeting customers as they arrived, often sitting on “the platform” with friends, reminiscing about the “good old days”. Often working 12 hours a day during “hay season”. He often said: “You have to make hay while the sun shines”. It is so true! Ed was so fond of history and retained a wealth of information. He loved talking with family and friends and they loved talking with him. He was so genuine. He was loved and respected by all whom knew him. He was our Gentleman Farmer. He will be so missed. We know he is at Peace and will be our Guardian Angel, always at our side.

Funeral services will be held on the family farm on 79 Great Hill Rd. in Seymour on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery in Ansonia. Friends may call on Tuesday  (September 7)  at The Jenkins King & Malerba Funeral Home, 12 Franklin St. Ansonia from 4:00 p.m. ~ 8:00 p.m.

We will celebrate his life along with our dear niece, Mary Ellen (Kozak) Pec, who passed on September 3rd, 2021 also.  Two angels entered Paradise, together!  In lieu of flowers, donations in their memory may be made to The Preservation Fund for the Bomba Homestead.

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