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Harry Gamble
1930 - 2014
Harry Gamble
1930 - 2014
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1930
DIED
2014
Harry Gamble Obituary
In 1981, Gamble joined the Eagles as a volunteer assistant coach under Dick Vermeil and became a full-time staffer a year later, coaching special teams and tight ends. He moved into the front office as director of football operations in 1984, and a year later he was named general manager by owner Leonard Tose.
In 1986, he became team president, a position he held until 1994.
He was remembered by Eagles Chairman Jeffrey Lurie for his efforts to promote football, his coaching prowess and his love of family.
"Harry is a legendary football figure in the city of Philadelphia and South Jersey," Lurie said in a statement. "He was an excellent football coach, executive and philanthropist, but he will be remembered most for his warm personality, his strong character and his love for his family."
A native of Pitman, N.J., Gamble played offensive lineman at Rider College in New Jersey and served in the Army. He started teaching and coaching at Clayton and Audubon high schools in New Jersey from 1954 to 1961 before being hired by Penn to be an assistant coach from 1962 to 1966.
That was followed by a stint as head coach at Lafayette in Pennsylvania until 1970.
He returned to Penn as head coach in 1971 and remained there until 1980. While coaching there, he was selected as the NCAA District 1 Coach of the Year and named by the New York Sportswriters Association as the University Division Eastern coach of the year in 1972.
Gamble, who held master's and doctoral degrees from Temple University, is survived by wife Joan, sons Harry and Tom and three grandchildren. Tom Gamble is the Eagles' vice president of player personnel.
Funeral arrangements are private.
Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
35 Entries
February 2, 2015
1 yr since you have passed and not a day goes by we don't think about you.
thomas
September 8, 2014
miss you everyday
August 28, 2014
Death, sickness, and suffering will soon end. Have faith in God's word.
How you can show support
February 17, 2014
Sorry to hear about your loss. James 4:8 says draw close to God and he will draw close to you.
February 17, 2014
SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR LOVED ONE,REMEMBER GOD'S WORDS IN MATT.5:7"HAPPY ARE THE MERICIFU,SINCE THEY WILL BE SHOWN MERCY....NC
Kimmel's
February 5, 2014
Tom,
Sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. I just received the newspaper clippings from home about his passing.
Our condolences to you and your family.
February 4, 2014
Dear Mrs. Gamble and family - We were so sorry to learn of your loss. My earliest memories of h.s. football were of attending Audubon games with my family when I was only five or six years old. I even remember one time when we needed to go on the field after the game to help Mr. Gamble find his keys which we lost during the excitement of the game. We visited Lafayette and Penn to see you and Mr. Gamble's teams. When I came to work at Newton High School in Sussex County, NJ; I met John Gibson "Gibby" Carter who played for Coach Gamble at Penn and we shared stories of the mutual respect and love we felt for him. Small football world it is here in NJ! My brother, Steve, went on to coach Kingsway Regional's freshmen football team for many years, and was with them when they won the State title. Before we lost our father to cancer, he was a loved and respected volunteer coach with Steve and often spoke of the great times he had with Harry when they played for Rider. Thanks for always including the Iannotti family in your football events. Alberta, Steve and Wendy Iannotti Whipple
February 3, 2014
We are never prepared for death so please find comfort in knowing sickness, pain and death will one day be no more for this has been promised us. So please accept my condolences for your loss.
February 1, 2014
Tommy: My thoughts and prayers are truly with you and your family...............Miss you freeze fried.............PFreddy
Stella & Nick Calvelli
February 1, 2014
Joan, Our condolences to you and your family. God is our present help in these times and will help you and your family to go through this difficult time. So happy to have know you both from the younger days at Clayton High School, so many good times. God bless,
February 1, 2014
i am sorry for the lost of your loved one.
February 1, 2014
Sorry for your lost.
"He will wipe out every tear from their eyes
and death will be no more neither mourning nor
out cry nor pain be anymore the former things
has passed away." What a wonderful promise
God has made(Revation21:3,4)
January 31, 2014
We are sorry for your loss. The Egan Family
Gail DiVincenzo
January 31, 2014
Sending kind thoughts and hugs to your family. What wonderful memories I have of the kindness you bestowed upon my mom Peggy Tarbell & I - the memories of Eagles games - such a special family. Such a wonderful example of love - you were a great example of what a marriage is. So, so sorry for your loss, Joan. Gail Tarbell DiVincenzo
Kay Spicer
January 31, 2014
My dear Joan, My heart breaks understanding the sorrow you have been going through these past few days. Hold tight to the happy memories and God will take care of Harry. My love to the family,and a special hug for Tommy. In God, Kay Spicer
Lana Schaal
January 30, 2014
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts.
Lana
George Winton
January 30, 2014
George Winton would like too reach Tom gamble to pay his respects. LONG TIME FAMILY FRIEND.
[email protected].
609 351 0220
Paula, CNA
January 30, 2014
Huge hugs for Miss Joan for being Harry's #1 cheerleader & caregiver. She taught me in a marriage, your loved one is not your other half, they are you and you are them. And huge hugs for Miss Kay who has stood by Miss Joan the whole ride through football, life, and family. All families need to take heed to the love and fun this family displays. Let Harry be remembered for all the lives he has touched and maybe not for all the recognition he built in football, but for why he chose to quit! Ive only known the family a short time, but they will forever be in my heart. Harry touched my life even when it was close to the end of his own. God bless him. God bless his family. God bless his boys, both taking 2 strong traits of their father into their careers. God bless his grandsons, I know they will forever feel his love through their memories and many stories.
January 30, 2014
With deepest sympathy to the Gamble Family.
May the Hearer of Prayer grant you strength, courage and the sweetest peace during your time of sorrow. And may you always cherish the wonderful and precious memories of times spent with Mr. Gamble.
Juanita, Jacksonville, Fla.
Pete Ulicny
January 29, 2014
Dear Mrs. Gamble and family, I am very sorry to hear about Coach Gamble. I played briefly for him in the 70's at Penn, before retiring with injuries. Coach's faith in me helped me to believe in myself. He was always such a good person. May he rest in peace. God bless you. P.S. I believe Coach told me Mrs. Gamble was originally from Mahanoy City. I live about 4 miles from there.
January 29, 2014
Many fond memories as opponets in high school
then as team mates at Rider.
Harry, always a gentleman and inspiration
to many athletes to whom he spoke and taught.
My condolences, Bob Coblentz
January 29, 2014
So sorry to hear of "Coach" Gamble's passing - Class of 1961, Clayton High School. My sympathies to Mrs. Gamble and family.
John Porvaznik
January 29, 2014
Growing up in Audubon across from the AHS football field I remember Coach Gamble leading the team in calisthenics while I followed along. He would bellow at players in the "pit" standing tall in a t-shirt and purple gym shorts. It was late fall. It was cold. Always remembered that image of a coach's coach. A lot of boys became young men under Coach Gamble & those that followed. My condolences to the Gamble family. That includes the extensive "football" family.
LP
January 29, 2014
May the GOD who comforts all comfort you in your time of pain and grief.(2Corinth.1:3&4) I am sorry for your loss.
January 29, 2014
My thoughts and prayers for the Gamble family. Harry was an inspiration to all.
RIP, Harry, you did well in all aspects of your life. A former student
1960 Group III Champs
Dick & Claire Laxton
January 29, 2014
Claire and I were so sorry to hear of "coach" Gamble's passing. Harry was such a positive inspiration for all who's company he blessed both on the field and in friendship. We extend our love and sympathy to Harry's family.
January 29, 2014
Please accept my condolences for the loss of your loved one. During times of grief, allow God to comfort you and your family for he truly understands what you are going through. (Psalms 72:12-14)
Al (Bud) Mossop
January 29, 2014
My condolences to the Gamble family. Harry was a great person, from sandlot football in Pitman to Pitman Sports Hall of Fame and beyond.
Richmond
January 29, 2014
My condolences to the family. May god be your stronghold and refuge during this time of sorrow.
victor checketts
January 29, 2014
Very shocked to hear of Harry Gambles passing. He certainly was a credit to the Eagles and to the city of Philadelphia. Dick Vermeil certainly knew what he was doing when he hired Harry to coach the Eagles especially when they made their run to the Super Bowl. I know he is coaching in a better place now. May the father of us all and his son bless and comfort Harrys family at this sad time. Rest in Peace Harry and thank you for your contributions to your city and its great football team.
January 28, 2014
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2.
Al May
January 28, 2014
Dear Mrs. Gamble and family, you are all in my prayers. Coach was an important person in my younger years and a joy to re-connect with these later years. Saturday mornings at the Farmer's Market have given me more warm memories. Meeting you and Tom was a bonus. Heaven is certainly richer. God Bless you all.
DStallings
January 28, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
A
January 28, 2014
Dear family, I am so sorry for your loss. May you all find comfort by drawing close to God during this difficult time. James 4:8
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