Matteo Gambardella Jr.

Matteo Gambardella Jr. NORFOLK - Mr. Matteo "Gambo" Gambardella Jr., 84, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church of Norfolk. Pop is survived by his three sons and daughters-in-law, Mark Gambardella and Cheryl of Richmond, Va., Mike Gambardella and Kay of Suffolk and Chris Gambardella and Kim of Virginia Beach. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Eric Gambardella, Crystal Gambardella, Jessica Gambardella, Brittany Gambardella; and two stepgrandchildren, Jennifer Dumlao and Bryan Woolridge. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Mary P. Gambardella; his parents, Josephine and Matteo Gambardella; sisters, Mary Storino and Rose Cogliandro; and brothers, Joseph, Danny and Herbert Gambardella. He was born in Portsmouth Jan. 30, 1926 and resided in Norfolk since 1952. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, having served in the Pacific on LST 624 and participated in three invasions. Gambo retired from the Naval Air Rework Facility in Norfolk with 31 years of service. A graveside service will be held at noon Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Holly Lawn Cemetery with Father Piotr Bialkowski officiating. Visitation will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, at Parr Funeral Home, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Lung Association, P.O. Box 35010, Richmond, VA 23235. Special thanks to the staff at Lake Wright Radiation Oncology Group. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.