William J.

Gambino

Tireless Advocate For US Veterans

William J. Gambino, 78, of Milford, beloved husband of Florence Guarino Gambino, died at Yale-New Haven Hospital February 27. Mr Gambino was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., July 29, 1929, to William N. and Lillian Vastola Gambino and was a Stamford resident for 42 years prior to moving to Milford in 2000 after his retirement.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include his loving children, Alan Gambino of Newtown, William Gambino and his wife, Krista, of Seymour, and Claire Casey and her husband, Charles, of Milford; six grandchildren, Heather Gambino, Kimberly Testo and her husband, Raymond, Andrew and Emily Casey, and Joseph and Gabriana Gambino; a sister-in-law, Paula Stephan; a niece, Claudia Braden and her husband, George; a nephew, John Stephan and his wife, Donna Jo; a grandnephew, Patrick Braden; and a grandniece, Francesca Braden. A sister, Marilyn Gambino, predeceased Mr Gambino.

Mr Gambino was a graduate of Manhattan College, Class of 1952, and received a master’s degree in personnel administration from Columbia University. He was a US Army veteran of the Korean War and served in Taejon, Korea, and reached the rank of corporal with the Military Police Battalion 772, Company A.

He spent the large part of his professional career in human resources, labor relations, and compensation and benefits for a variety of aerospace and technology corporations, including AMF, Republic Aviation Corporation, Litton Industries, Fairchild Republic Corporation, and Loral Electronics. After his retirement from industry, he worked for the Episcopal Social Services as a refugee resettlement counselor.

His greatest satisfaction came when he was hired by the Connecticut Department of Veteran Affairs as a service officer, where he served for eight years. He had an extensive background in veteran’s advocacy, compensation and benefits, and interfacing with both mentally and physically impaired veterans and their families. He covered the Fourth Congressional District in his tireless efforts on behalf of veterans. He was a member of VFW Post 7788, and was the post service officer and its chaplain. In addition to his work with veterans, he was a volunteer at the Beth-El Soup Kitchen.

He was an active member of St Leo Parish in Stamford for 40 years, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, member of the RCIA team, and a chairman of the Outplacement Network Group for Executives and Professionals.

Mr Gambino was a Cub Master of Pack 31 and a member of the Board of the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 15.

He will be remembered as a kind, compassionate, and caring individual who went out of his way to help people, no matter what their status.

Funeral services were held March 1, in St Ann Church, Milford, with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment was in St Mary Cemetery, Milford.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham MA 01701, the Beth-El Shelter and Soup Kitchen in Milford, 90 New Haven Avenue, Milford CT 06460, or The Literacy Center of Milford, 16 Dixon Street, Milford CT 06460.

The Newtown Bee        March 7, 2008