Dear Connie, I was a high school classmate of Richard  in Maryland, we graduated in 1960 and both worked in Washington awhile...met him in home room because GAMBELL and GAMBATESE were seated next to each other!  We corresponded on email awhile, and met you at the BCC 50th year reunion in 2010...so glad you were in his life!  Richard was a soft spoken, steady friend, regret that he was lost too soon... but know that he must have been happy with you in Texas.   Wishing you good memories!

Carole Gambell McCann

Richard was my cousin; his mother, Betty, and my mother, Anne, were sisters. 
A highlight of my childhood was our family summer trip from Cleveland, Ohio to Bethesda, Maryland to visit Aunt Betty, Uncle Joe, Roger and Richard.
My father, having two daughters and no sons, especially loved playing golf with Uncle Joe, Roger and Richard!
I know Richard is enjoying heaven with Aunt Betty, Uncle Joe and his many friends and relatives.
With prayerful sympathy,
Sister Beverly Anne LoGrasso
Ursuline Sisters, Cleveland, Ohio

Miss you! Alex an I were just talking about you and getting your hair cut  you were very loyal to her.

Best summers (despite the DC heat) were in Bethesda with Aunt Betty, Uncle Joe, Roger and Richard! Uncle Joe took Dad and the boys golfing at Kenwood and Aunt Betty took us to every monument in the DC area including the Franciscan Monastery and shopping at Woodward and Lothrop! 
I loved the screened in porch and swimming at Kenwood! 
Rest in peace, Richard.
Blessings and gratitude,
Love, Bev

Best times were visiting Aunt Betty, Uncle Joe, Roger and Richard in Bethesda, Maryland on Exfair! 
Blessings on Richard’s family and friends,
Beverly LoGrasso, cousin

My sympathy to all who loved Richard.
My last and fondest memory of Richard was the luncheon gathering of cousins in Cleveland. Richard asked us each to go around the table 
sharing our life story. I reflect upon it as a model of the Gospel which
tells us stories of individuals and collective stories of the workings of God in our lives and communities. 
Thank you, Richard!
With love and gratitude,
Beverly


It has now been almost 4 months since losing our beloved Richard to his Heavenly Home. It took me this long to collect my thoughts without rambling aimlessly. Richard was alway concise and totally in control of his thoughts and words. So hopefully Richard will approve. 

Connie and I met Richard on our annual girls trip to California.  Richard made such a lasting impression on us that he was the topic of the evening. Fast forward, a deep love developed between Richard and Connie and they married the next year. Connie was and is my best friend and my chosen sister for 25 years  and now I had a new brother as well. Richard taught me about his passions - fine wines - music - his Faith. He always tried to stump me with his vast knowledge of everything he ever read or witnessed. I think he got a kick out of my being able to answer an occasional trivia thrown at me!  These challenges will be missed. 

Thank you Richard for touching everyone you ever knew in whatever the need was of that individual. You will be missed but mostly loved for what you gave of yourself to us all. 
Love you,
Elizabeth Kidoor 

I loved my father very much. I am grateful for the time we had together. He will forever be a major influence on me.

Richard,
Thanks for all the great conversations and memories, and for the support of my musical endeavors. I also am very grateful for the jazz books and music you gifted so generously to me, always expanding my musical horizons! These will forever be treasured as part of my collection.
You will be missed, but your memory will live on for me as much of your music has made its way onto my work playlist, helping me make it through the long days.
Love and Prayers,
Dom

The few times I saw Richard one thing stood out: he was a man to be reckoned with.

Connie, you were so fortunate to have known Richard and as time passes you will become more aware of that.

The love between the two of you is amazing........it should never wane.

My love to both of you

Dorothy

Dear Connie,
We had been living in Austin, Texas, for some time, when one day we found a phone message from Richard who, in his usual communicative, friendly tone of voice said something like the following: “Hi, I am Richard Gambatese, son of Joe Gambatese; I  moved to Austin from California. If I have reached the right person, please call me back since we are related.”
Surprise! We had been very close to his father Joe and we knew his whole family, including his grandparents, from back in Cleveland, where we first lived after coming from Italy. We had also met his brother Roger in Sacramento, but by a series of circumstances we had never met Richard. So now our cousin was living in Austin too! 
Richard was very proud of his heritage and his family. He made a point for us to meet you, Connie, his beloved wife, as well as his two dear sons. He loved to talk about his family members and the places and events that shaped their lives. Likewise, you both always participated to our family events. He loved music and, when he found out that our son was a Jazz piano player, he donated to him his collection of Jazz CDs, many of them from the Jazz festivals that he had organized in California, some including the artist’s autograph. 
We used to catch up on things with you both by getting together between your frequent trips. The last time we saw each other, Connie, you and Richard stopped briefly at our home to hear about our pilgrimage to Italy last Fall. We had brought back from there a small vial with blessed water from the shrine of St. Rita, a great Augustinian nun, appropriately located in the same church where the body of St. Augustine is buried. We all signed ourselves with the sign of the cross with that holy water. Now that Richard has passed to eternal life, we pray confidently that God, by the intercession of St. Rita, keep him in His glory. 
We will always miss Richard and we will always remain close to you, Connie.
Anna and Angelo Gattozzi


Dear Connie,
I will never forget how Richard got in touch with my parents when you moved to Austin and my brother and I were so excited to have a relative close by. We remembered when we were children that Richard's father, Joe, used to visit our family and played his mandolin for us. Some of my fondest memories of Richard include the times when you and Richard would come to my music performances at the University of Texas. Fabrizio and I will be forever grateful to Richard for helping us when we learned we would be moving to the San Jose area; it was a time of many changes for us and if it hadn't been for him we would not have found such a beautiful place to live in such a short time. Our visit to Napa for your anniversary was one of our first experiences in California and we will always remember sharing that beautiful day with you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and Richard will always be in our hearts. 
Love,
Bibiana and Fabrizio Vergine 

Bill Gantt here....
In 1986, I became the Instrumental Music Director at Vintage High School. 
I'm 1990,  Richard, after hearing about my Jazz Program came over to Vintage to chat with me about his idea, concept of starting a Jazz Festival. Engaging Professionals from San Francisco Bay Area and the students of the Napa Valley area. Needless to say, I was on board. 
The first year was the Pro's and the Vintage Jazz Band.  The following 10 years, we included Napa,  St Helena, and Calistoga High Schools. The kids fell in love with the Pro's and the Pro's fell in love with the kids.  This vision that Richard shared with me  had organically grew over time. 
About 2 years ago, Richard contacted me and wanted to send me some of his remaining memorabilia of the Jazz Festival. Thinking I would enjoy it as much as he did. Of course I said yes, I'd love to have  it. A week later I came home to a large box on my front porch. 
Thank you Richard for being who you were. I'll never forget your kind, generosity and all  you gave to those generations of kids. What a grand experience you gave them. 
And thanks for including me with those 10 years of leadership and caring. 
We all will miss you!!

Photo below ...Richard, myself appreciating a Vintage Jazz Band student .


Dear Connie,
One of my favorite memories was going to visit you and Pop Pop in Napa Valley. I was so excited to experience a place that meant so much to him and to see you both again. Celebrating your anniversary together was so much fun, and I will never forget the toast that he gave because it really showed me how much he valued his family. I will miss him a lot.
Love,
Lauren

I met Richard only about six months ago as I joined the Knights. We had an instant connection and decided to meet up regularly to know each other, talk about Italy, and discuss plans for the wine tasting event that Richard created. I am very lucky to have know him and experienced his intelligence, sense of humor, and generosity. He was a great Knight! Even though we have known each other only a few months meeting you had an impact in my life. Will miss you Richard! 

I first met Richard with Connie in the parking lot of Emmaus where they were looking for the Gala Committee meeting. He was a
volunteer from the beginning as a new member at Emmaus.
Steve & I shared Super Bowl parties, Friday night date night dinners ,
and many golf tournaments.  We came in dead last place but never cared because the 4 of us had so many laughs. We will miss seeing him in those memorable Hawaiian shirts/shorts (his Uniform).
Also he could stretch a story out with DETAILS like nobody else
I have ever met.  We mourn the loss of our friend Richard.
Love, Trish and Steve Woodburn

Knowing Richard as a Brother Knight of Columbus was a real honor.  He demonstrated an incredible desire to encourage new members to join the Knights.  During his tenure as Membership Facilitator, he dramatically increased the number of new Brothers.   His most memorable accomplishment was his passion for organizing the KC Wine Tastings, as a direct way to support and enhance the KC Youth Scholarship Awards. The Lakeway Ladies of Charity were beneficiaries of these wine tasting events also.
To say that Richard will be greatly missed is an understatement.  His impact on the council, with his passing, will leave a deep chasm that will be hard to fill.  
His wit and humor, incredible smile, and generous willingness to always help are all fond memories.  
God Bless Richard on his journey and may he rest in peace.  Prayers shall continue for Connie and their families.  
Lee and Dian Malkowski


We met Richard back in 1986 when both our families moved to the small town of Yountville in the Napa Valley. We were neighbors and friends for the 20 years living there. During the years we shared the passion for jazz, wine and golf. Richard had a strong personality that helped him organize many ongoing events  in the community. In 2006 our family left the Napa Valley to relocate in Austin, Tx. To our surprise in 2007, Richard called to let us know he married a " Texas Gal " and wanted to move to the Austin area. We pointed him to the Bee Cave area and our friendship resumed. We are so sad of his passing and will miss him. Our heart goes out to Connie and the Family. Rest in peace Richard.

We are still in shock in Yountville over the passing of our dear fellow neighbor and friend Richard Gambatese.  Our prayers and love go to his family and wife Connie.
May God welcome you on your journey.  I know you will be setting up a bocce team.
Roll on my friend. Stella Williams 

A favorite memory of mine was the day he came to Virginia to meet his grandchildren - Lauren (now 18) and Daniel (now 16) - for the first time. Although he certainly knew how to have a good time, I'm pretty sure that this was one of the happiest times of his life!

I worked with Richard for a few years at Schramsberg and have fond memories of him. He was very charming, outgoing and funny.
He will be missed.

Beth Wagner

I can't recall a person having a bigger and quicker impact on the Emmaus Lakeway Knights of Columbus council then Richard. I served as his mentor, a program he basically created! I truly enjoyed getting to know Richard and my heart goes to his family and wife Connie. Rest in Peace Richard.

My prayerful sympathy to Connie and her family, Roger, Michael and Eric. I have very fond childhood memories of visiting 7119  Exfair in Bethesda during summer vacation.  My sister, Barbara and I had two "big brothers" for two weeks! What a grace that Richard organized the cousin lunch in Cleveland last summer. He invited each of us to tell our life story after he did. It was a memorable bonding moment and a living
Gospel. Love to all, Bev

Connie,
so sorry to hear of Richard's passing. When I first met Richard, I was somewhat intimidated by him. But with you both together, you somehow balanced that out for me and finally, I began to see what a special man of God Richard was. You and he became guiding lights that showed me what it meant to love and be joyous. Richard, rest in peace my brother. 

Connie, I am with you in spirit and in prayer sister. I'm near, whenever you need me. Much love, Selina Cooper


Connie,

As the years went by, Richard never forgot his family roots.  When we did see each other, it was just a passing visit. Richard always was on top of keeping his family memories in tact. Our last visit in Cleveland was so wonderful, to see him and meet you. He was a wiz at going after real family history and sharing his life with me, always interested in how I was and how my life has evolved.

You loved him and he was loved by me too

Cousin Gary Bill
Fairport Harbor, Ohio

Connie and Family,
I was so sad to hear of Richard's passing.  May God bless and console you during this time.  I will always remember him.  You were a great team!  It was obvious that you had a great love story and now your memories you can fall back on.  

With love,
Melanie

1964 was a high point in my life. I met this wonderful person and for the past 56 years we continued our friendship, separated by several thousand miles. But our friendship seemed to be separated only by a fence between our back yards. We called each other on a regular basis and recalled the same old stories of life in Southern Towers and surrounding neighborhoods. 
Richard was always remembering everyone we knew and paled around with.
He and Connie came to Florida twice in the past 2 years and we are so great full for those moments together. 
I will miss you my beloved Richard and we will once again share those stories when I see you in Heaven. Peace and continuous love my brother. 

OBITUARIO

Richard Joseph Gambatese

28 febrero, 1942 – 14 febrero, 2020

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