[5] Lombardi, a Republican, began his political career on the Syracuse Common Council, where he served for six years beginning in 1959.
Lombardi was known as a proponent of community services, including New York's "Nursing Homes without Walls" program.
Lombardi helped earn $15 million in state funding to build the Carrier Dome.
Lombardi returned to practice law at the Syracuse-based firm he founded, now called Devorsetz, Stinziano, Gilberti, Heintz, and Smith.
[9] He was a diehard fan of the Syracuse Orange, and the longest season ticket holder in the history of the football program.