BOMSTER ALEXANDRIA — John F. Bomster, 77, a lifelong lover of his family and of the law, passed away suddenly Tuesday, April 24, 2012.

He was born June 12, 1934, in New Haven, Conn., to Cyril I. and Helen (O’Meara) Bomster.

He grew up in Branford, Conn., graduated from Branford High School in 1952, and served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. In 1954, he married his high school sweetheart, Sonya (Bodie) Bomster, who survives him.

While working as a clerk in the corporate department of the New

York, New

Haven, and

Hartford

Railroad, he attended night school at the University of

Bridgeport (Conn.) and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1961 with a bachelor of arts degree in Economics. He attended night school at the University of Connecticut School of Law and graduated first in his class in 1965. He then worked in the legal department of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad while living in Clinton, Conn.

In 1970, he became a corporate counsel for the trustees of the Penn Central Railroad in Philadelphia. In 1972, he and his family moved to Rhode Island where he joined the law firm of Adler Pollock & Sheehan, P.C., in Providence. He directed the litigation department and became managing partner of AP&S.

He moved to New Hampshire in 1995 where he remained counsel to AP&S. He also worked as a solo practitioner and provided counsel to New Hampshire Legal Assistance.

He served as a selectman for the Town of Alexandria from 1999 to 2001.

In the course of his career, he argued a case before the U.S. Supreme Court and was a member of the American Bar Association Litigation Section as well as the Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island bar associations. His honors include a Special Five- Year Award from New Hampshire Legal Assistance in 2001; Award on Behalf of New Hampshire Children from New Hampshire Legal Assistance, 2005; Distinguished Service to the Profession Award from the New Hampshire Bar Association, 2006; Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Bridgeport, 2008; and the Award of Merit from the Rhode Island Bar Association, 2010.

A lifelong sailor, his hobbies also included skiing, playing the piano, reading classic literature, and competitive equestrian events where he attained master level in dressage.

He also served as lector and choir member at numerous Roman Catholic parishes, including St. Luke in Barrington, R.I., and most recently Holy Trinity in Bristol.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sonya (Bodie) Bomster; sons Mark of Baltimore, Md., and Matthew of Providence, R.I.; daughters Johannah Bomster of Minneapolis, Minn., Rebecca Perkins of Porter, Maine, and Judith Bomster of Manchester; 12 grandchildren; brothers William Bomster of Stonington, Conn., and David Bomster of North Stonington, Conn.; and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 5, at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of Grace Chapel of Holy Trinity Parish, 2 West Shore Rd., Bristol. Plans are underway for a memorial celebration for family and friends at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to NH Legal Assistance, 117 North State St., Concord NH 03301.

Arrangements by Emmons Funeral Home of Bristol.