Submitted by: Dan Rich

Br. Martinus Bombardier, CSC

Nov. 2, 1921 - Oct. 23, 1998

South Bend Tribune 10/26/1998

SOUTH BEND - Brother Martinus (Leonard) Bombardier, CSC, died of natural causes at his residence, Columba Hall, Notre Dame, Ind., on Friday, Oct. 23, at the age of 77. He was born on Nov. 2, 1921, in Jamestown, Kan., to Alfred and Blanche (Fiffe) Bombardier, and attended schools in Aurora, Kan., until he joined the Brothers of Holy Cross in September 1941 at Watertown, Wis.

He received the habit on Feb. 2, 1942, made his first profession of vows on Feb. 3, 1943, and was assigned to Dujarie Hall, Notre Dame, to continue his formation as a Holy Cross religious.

In 1944 he moved to Columba Hall, then known as the Community House, to begin his 38 years of dedicated service at the Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, a ministry that had drawn Br. Martinus to join the congregation. Columba Hall was his only residence during the next 54 years, and he always personified the open and hospitable atmosphere that characteristically pervades the house.

In the mid-fifties, Br. Martinus began to devote time to his hobby, photography. Policies then observed in the religious life prevented his owning much equipment or having direct access to the resources needed to turn the hobby into a profession. Still, Br. Martinus managed to attend workshops and, in other ways, learn about the field. Gradually he fulfilled his desire to become a professional photographer and, for many years, he specialized in weddings, christenings, receptions, Notre Dame campus scenes and formal and informal portraits for clients throughout the Michiana area. His reputation for quality work spread, and soon he was called upon regularly to chronicle many congregational and regional events.

In 1992, the year he celebrated his 50th anniversary as a brother, his doctor advised him to give up full-time photography and concentrate on portraits. His heart continued to be a problem but did not prevent him from continuing his work, which he loved, or from being the sensitive, amiable, astute, generous and attentive person he had always been, both in the community and among his clients and professional colleagues, all of whom will miss his cheerful presence.

Services will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the chapel of St. Joseph, Holy Cross Brothers Center, Notre Dame, beginning with visitation from 2 to 4 p.m., and the Mass of the Resurrection at 4 p.m., followed by burial in St. Joseph Cemetery at the Brothers Center. The Hickey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.