John Art Dombalis

John “Art” Dombalis, beloved father and proud son of Greece, slipped peacefully from this world, surrounded by the family who loved him. His heart was too big to be contained, and his character too large for any one story — the kind that could fill a lifetime.

He was a man forever drawn to adventure — yet always circling back to the steady truth of his daughters’ love. No matter how winding his path, he carried them with him, and they were the home his heart returned to.

In keeping with his wishes, his family will honor his life on Saturday, November 22nd, with a private celebration among close friends and family. His ashes will rest in the places that shaped him and set him free — the quiet curve of his running path around the Y, the beach where he worshiped in the sun, the Pamlico finish line that knew his hope, his daughter’s farm, and one day, the homeland of his birth.

He leaves behind a legacy held tenderly by his daughters, his grandchildren, and his long-time girlfriend, Honey. His love was unmistakably his own — stubborn, fierce, imperfect, and yet profoundly devoted. His daughters always knew, without question, that he loved them with everything he had.

Cheers to my Daddy in heaven —

“1-2-3 I love my Daddy.

1-2-3 I love my Daddy.

1-2-3 I love my Daddy always.”