Constancio Jamir Gambala

Constancio “Jerry” Jamir Gambala was born on September 1, 1941 in Kawit, Cavite, Philippines to Elisa Jamir and Pedro Gambala. He died resting peacefully on Friday, surrounded by family on January 17, 2025. He was born the sixth of seven children. He was a good, quiet baby who was left behind during the Japanese invasion but fortunately for his future family “Tanting” was found. Life was difficult in the Philippines during that time, but he spent his childhood close to the sea, training to become a skilled fisherman and Navy man.

Jerry had dreams of opening a barber shop but sought a better life. On his third attempt, he was accepted into the United States Navy as a Mess Management Specialist, or better known as a cook. The Navy life took him to Norfolk, VA where he was coerced to visit New York City. There, he met Geronima Delgado Tolo, and his life was changed forever. They fell in love and married in 1968. Although the Navy took him to sea for half or most of the year, he found just enough time to have two loving children. Jerry completed twenty years of honorable service in the Navy retiring in 1986. He achieved multiple awards including the Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and Fourth Good Conduct Award.

Jerry carried dreams as vast as the oceans he sailed. His laughter lit up decades of service and his heart forever tied to two shores. In retirement, his generosity knew no bounds. His spirit; a mix of strength and kindness, and his love; a compass that always brought us home.

Jerry was a loving husband, devoted father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was an avid fisherman and spent many hours tending to his home garden. There was nothing he couldn’t fix around the house leaving a lot of junk to prove it, because, “you never know.” A motto to live life to the fullest and to keep everything for future use.

He is survived by his wife, Geronima; his sisters: Avenida and Bella (Philippines); his son, Gerald and daughter-in-law, Vanessa, (San Diego, CA); his daughter, Cecilia and son-in-law, Jonathan, (New Orleans); and his four grandchildren: Eryn, Aidan, Gabriella and Naomi. He also leaves behind uncountable kittens and cats that he couldn’t catch and neuter.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to conserving the land or the sea through The Nature Conservancy or Ocean Conservancy.

A rosary and visitation for Constancio will be held Monday, January 27, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, 619 New Warrington Road, Pensacola, FL 32506. A rosary will occur Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 303 S Navy Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32507. A mass of christian burial will occur immediately following the rosary at 12:30 PM at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church. A committal with funeral honors will occur Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Barrancas National Cemetery, 1 Cemetery Rd, Pensacola, FL 32508. Following the committal a reception will occur at 3:00 PM at Fil-Am of Pensacola, 234 W. Oakfield Road, Pensacola, FL 32503.