William J. Gambino

WILLIAM J. GAMBINO

age 78, of Milford, beloved husband of Florence Guarino Gambino, passed away peacefully at Yale-New Haven Hospital on February 27, 2008. Mr. Gambino was born in Brooklyn, NY on July 29, 1929 to the late William N. and Lillian Vastola Gambino and was a Stamford resident for 42 years prior to moving to Milford in 2000 after his retirement. Mr. Gambino was a graduate of Manhattan College, Class of 1952 and received a Masters Degree in Personnel Administration from Columbia University. He was a U.S. 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 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 spent the large part of his professional career in Human Resources, Labor Relations and Compensation & Benefits for a variety of Aerospace & Technology Corporations, including AMF, Republic Aviation Corporation, Litton Industires, 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 Conn. Department of Veteran Affairs as a service officer where he served for 8 years. He had an extensive background in Veteran's Advocacy, Compensation & Benefits, interfacing with both mentally and physically impaired veterans and their families. He covered the 4th 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 will be remembered as a kind, compassionate and caring individual who went out of his way to help people, no matter what their status. Survivors, in addition to his wife, Florence, include his loving children, Alan Gambino of Newtown, William Gambino (Krista) of Seymour and Claire Casey (Charles) of Milford, 6 grandchildren, Heather Gambino, Kimberly Testo (Raymond), Andrew and Emily Casey, Joseph and Gabriana Gambino, a sister-in-law, Paula Stephan, a niece, Claudia Braden (George), a nephew, John Stephan (Donna Jo), a grandnephew, Patrick Braden and a grandniece, Francesca Braden. Mr. Gambino was predeceased by a sister, Marilyn Gambino. Friends are invited to attend the funeral on Saturday at 9:30AM DIRECTLY in St. Ann Church, Naugatuck Avenue, Milford with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Milford. Friends may call on Friday (TODAY) 4-8PM in The Gregory F. Doyle Funeral Home, 291 Bridgeport Avenue, Milford. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Beth-El Shelter and Soup Kitchen in Milford or The Literacy Center of Milford in Mr.Gambino's memory.