Rosario "Sonny" James Gambino passed away on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the age of 73, and was a resident of Metairie, LA. Sonny was born on March 28, 1953 in New Orleans, LA to John Anthony Gambino and Mary Roveto Gambino. Sonny grew up in the Gentilly area of New Orleans and was a graduate of Brother Martin High School in 1971. During high school, Sonny met and fell in love with his future wife, Lesley Waters, whom he married in 1979. Sonny and Lesley lived in New York for 9 years and eventually relocated to Metairie, LA in the early 1990's. Throughout his career, Sonny worked for multiple national tire and repair companies serving as an Owner, Manager, and Sales Rep. He and his wife were parishioners of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Metairie, LA.
Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Gambino; his uncle, Rosario "Sonny" Roveto (Christine Roveto); and his aunt, Grace DeMeo.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Lesley Gambino; his loving children, John Gambino (Urjita Sudula) and Gabrielle Gambino; his grandchildren, Milo Gambino-Sudula and Vivienne Gambino-Harrison; his brother, Johnny Gambino (Marie) ; his sister, Mary Jean Fontenot (Billy); and his aunt, Dorothy Roveto. Also survived by his cousin, Joanne DeMeo and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the visitation at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, Metairie, LA on Sunday, September 27, 2026 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM and on Monday, September 28, 2026 from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the funeral home chapel on Monday at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in the funeral mass in Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum, New Orleans, LA.
Serving as pallbearers will be: Michael DeMeo, Sr. (Cousin), Michael DeMeo, Jr. (Cousin), Rosario Roveto (Cousin), Pat Nulty (Friend), Tommy Natal (Friend), Vincent Bosco (Godson), Kenny Corken (Nephew), and Patrick McWilliams (Godson).
