Gail Tomao Obituary
Gail was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Park Slope. She was deeply influenced by her father, a surgeon at Methodist Hospital. She attended Saint Saviour High School and Marymount Manhattan College. Professionally, Gail enjoyed a distinguished 40 year career in banking, with key roles at Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase and Bankers Trust/Deutsche Bank. She most recently served up until her retirement in February of 2023 as Managing Director at Citi, specializing in Treasury and Trade Solutions for Financial Institutions and leading global client sales. Gail will be remembered for her client focused approach, mentorship and lasting impact on her colleagues.
Outside of work, Gail had diverse passions. She loved spending weekends in Westhampton, discovering new Italian restaurants, and traveling to Italy, particularly Florence. A dedicated shopper, movie enthusiast, and Broadway fan, she also enjoyed live music, attending concerts by artists like the Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, and Daryl Hall. Gail was generous, supporting causes close to her heart, including her alma mater and children's tuition assistance. In a last act of generosity, she donated her vital organs to Columbia University for the further study towards a cure for ALS.
A special note of thanks to Penelope Beale, Laurel Brien, Susan George, Karen Ingram, Diane Leslie, Matthew McManus, Regina Shed, as well as Gail's caretakers and nurses, for steadfastly being by her side through her health battle.
Services will be held December 17, 2024 at 1:00 pm, St. Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church, 869 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10065. Reception to follow at 2:30 pm, The Cosmopolitan Club, 122 E 66th St, New York, NY 10065.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital. Your generous gift supports research and care efforts for individuals with ALS. Gifts may be made online at Giving.MassGeneral.org/donate/Healey-Center. Checks should be made payable to "Massachusetts General Hospital" and mailed to MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Ste 540, Boston, MA 02114. Please include that the gift is in memory of Gail Tomao.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Maurella van der Ree
March 19, 2025
I just learned of Gail´s passing. Met her through our mutual friend, Ana. Gail was a loving, gracious person. Extended a selfless helping hand during a difficult period in my life. She holds a special spot in my heart. My sincerest condolences to her family and friends. Maurella van der Ree
Joe Linhares
February 20, 2025
We just learned of Gail´s passing. She was a mentor and a friend. Manny Hanny, Chemical and Chase. Does anyone remember Geoservve.
We both went to Citi. She loved Italy, The Hamptons and New York. A remarkable women who helped me as a young associate.
John Hogan
February 11, 2025
I met Gail in the summer of 1973, just graduated college and walked into the personnel department at Manufacturers Hanover´s operations center at 4 New York Plaza without an appointment. Gail was a first level employee screener in HR at the time! Seventeen years later I briefly worked with her in Manny´s Corporate Trust sales. She was destined for much bigger things. RIP.
Diane S Reyes
December 15, 2024
I first met Gail more than 3 decades ago when I joined Manny Hanny in the Corporate Trust Department. She was quite the Reorg expert and everyone sought her expertise in this regard. Like many others, I have fond memories of meals with Gail especially where Italian food was concerned. I also traveled with Gail to many Treasury conferences such as the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) and Swift SIBOS conferences around the world. There was none better than Gail at supporting her Insurance, Funds Management, Broker Dealers and Bank clients at these functions. I also fondly remember our mutual interest in Hermes scarves and Burberry shoes. Gail even found a great Hermes store in the Piazza San Marco in Venice.
I will miss her dearly and always remember her as a great colleague as well as an exceptional client focused executive who took time out to mentor new staff members joining the firm.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Arlene Husni
December 14, 2024
Gail and I worked together at Citi for many years and became good friends. We enjoyed work related events as well as many lunches and dinners together. She was dedicated to her career and a great mentor, always providing good advice both professionally and personally. Over the years Gail and I went to several concerts and broadway shows. The most memorable concert being one of her favorite performers, Lou Gramm. I will never forget how excited she was to see him. She really enjoyed sharing her love of music with others. Gail was a strong and courageous person who fought ALS with grace and dignity. I will always value her friendship and the wonderful times we shared. Rest in peace my friend.
Neil Botwinoff
December 6, 2024
Gail was my next door neighbor here at 325 East 72nd for over two decades. We had a nice friendship. We particularly enjoyed dinner together during the pandemic year. I would cook her favorite pasta bolognese meal and she would bring her favorite prosecco. We each sat in our own entrance foyers and placed the food and drinks on the table in our shared elevator lobby in order to maintain appropriate distance. It was great fun and a nice way to socialize in those dark days. My last enjoyable social experience with Gail was about a year and a half ago when she treated me for dinner on the outdoor balcony at the Cos Club. After that, visits in her apartment were short but meaningful. In early June we had a delightful hour or two enjoying a sunny afternoon in the rooftop garden of our building. Gail will be missed. May her memory be for a blessing.
Penelope
November 28, 2024
Gails passing leaves a huge hole in my heart, and it´s clear how much we shared.
We first became friends as transfer students at Marymount Manhattan College and quickly became more like sisters. Over the years, we supported each other through everything-both the good times and hard times. Even though she didn´t have children of her own, she became a second mother to mine. She was Polly´s godmother and she always had my back, especially at Christmas when she found those impossible-to-get-gifts for the kids-sport jerseys for the boys and not just a Cabbage Patch doll for Polly!
We also worked together at FAO Schwartz and Manufacturer Hanover during summer jobs,and oh, the stories we could tell. We had so much in common when it came to clothing,music,and shows and that only made our bond stronger over the years.
I´m so grateful I was able to be there for her during the last two difficult years of her battle with ALS. Knowing she´s now resting in heaven by her father´s side gives me peace. I´ll always hold on to the memories of our special relationship.
Sarah Miles Williams
November 27, 2024
Gail was a wonderful friend and a kind, caring and generous person. We met in a summer house in Remsenburg on Long Island and then reconnected when we became neighbors in Westhampton Beach. We enjoyed many happy times together Out East and in the City. I´m grateful for the conversations we had and the support we gave each other during our busy lives. Gail was an inspiration as she faced her illness with courage and her characteristic grace. I miss her terribly.
Barbara Paddock
November 25, 2024
Met Gail while at Manny Hanny; she was in the National Division and I was in events. We reconnected a number of years ago when we both joined the Cosmopolitan Club and served on the same committee. Went to concerts, dinners and even Paris around the time Gail was diagnosed. Always loved being with Gail. We all will live on in your love. XX Barbara
Ann Malarik
November 25, 2024
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Shoaib Yasin
November 22, 2024
We miss you Gail and thank you for putting your trust in me! Its really sad to see you go!
Cindy Drayton
November 22, 2024
Saddened to read of Gail´s passing, especially from AlLS. We met in the Hamptons. Admired her calm, cool levelheadedness, & her hard work.
Juliette Lloyd
November 20, 2024
Gail was the first friendly female face at Manufacturers Hanover Trust when I joined the bank in the mid 70's. Women were not very welcome then even by other women. We remained friends forever after. She was smart, calm and had a lovely way of speaking that made her respected and admired. Her career speaks for itself. We did not see much of each other after I left New York but stayed in touch with occasional visits and calls. Her love of Florence, my birth city, was another bond we shared. She was a classy Lady who I will miss and never forget. I am sure she walks with the angels now. Juliette Lloyd
Regina Shed
November 19, 2024
On behalf of your Citi team - you were our manager, our colleague, our mentor and advisor and to so many, you were a friend. Thank you for being you and thank you for amazing 25 years. Rest in peace our Gail.
Chris mcmanus
November 19, 2024
Chris mcmanus
November 19, 2024
We love you
Chris mcmanus
November 18, 2024
Polly Bade
November 18, 2024
David Bacchioni
November 18, 2024
I have so many wonderful memories of my years with Gail in the late 60s and early 70s. We met in Brooklyn while in college and shared many friends and good times. We also loved to travel especially to Bermuda. I always enjoyed Sunday dinners with her parents and brother Tommy. RIP Gail.
Chuck May
November 17, 2024
Gail was a special friend to me. I met her while we worked at Chase together (shortly after the Chase/Chemical merger). Even after we no longer worked together, we always kept in touch, sharing traveling stories, especially our love for Italy. She stayed at the same hotel in Portofino a few months before I was heading there in 2022 (the Belmond Splendido). She told me I MUST get the Elizabeth Taylor pasta. I did....three times! Gail loved her pasta and never steered me wrong. We also shared notes on the many Broadway shows we both saw over the years. Gail was also a mentor for me over the years and I will always be grateful for the advice and wisdom she always shared with me. I remember, while at Chase, going on business trips with her and Bob Fredericks. She always wanted to eat. I could never understand how she stayed in such great shape, yet always wanted to eat! Oh the laughs she, Bob and I had over the years. The last time I saw Gail was at dinner near her apartment and she told me she had just been diagnosed with ALS. While we spoke on the phone a few times after that, and then communicated by text message, I sadly, never saw her again. I will miss her dearly and pray she is now at rest and enjoying all the pasta in the world! God bless, you, Gail. Much love. Chuck May
Penelope Beale
November 16, 2024
chris mcmanus
November 15, 2024
WE LOVE YOU AND WILL MISS YOU.
Chris mcmanus
November 15, 2024
We love and miss you Gail.
Penelope Beale
November 15, 2024
Some of our fabulous times with Gail.
KENNETH PORCARO
November 15, 2024
Gail was an exceptional person in all aspects of her life ! For over 20 years I was a partner in serving Citi clients with Gail. I learned many lessons and shared many successes and joyous moments together ! Gail was a true friend, mentor and collaborator. She has already been missed dearly post her retirement by colleagues and clients alike! She was also a very good soul and her generosity was well known! I pray she has found solace and joy with the Heavenly Father. Rest in peace dear friend.
Showing 1 - 26 of 26 results
1076 Madison Ave, New York City, NY 10028
Make a Donation
in Gail Tomao's name
How to support Gail's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Gail Tomao's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
