Thomas R. Gambardella, 62, died Tuesday March 9, 2021 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Mary Jo (O’Toole) Gambardella and son of the late Carmine and Grace (Amoroso) Gambardella.
Tom taught at Bishop Hendricken High School for 18 years and was the heart of the Campus Ministry program. He was a proud alumnus of the school, and avid lover of all things Bishop Hendricken. After graduating from Hendricken in 1976, Tom trained as a Christian Brother during his time at Iona College before being called to married life and meeting his wife, Mary Jo. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in 1980. Tom returned home to Warwick, R.I., after graduation from Iona and worked for the family machining business, Gambar Products, for 22 years. Tom joined the Bishop Hendricken faculty as a freshman Theology teacher in 2002. Shortly thereafter, he became Director of Christian Service. In 2008, Tom became Director of Campus Ministry until June 2020. His service work included mission trips to Peru, Texas, Florida, New Orleans, and Maine. Following his retirement from Hendricken last spring, Tom began working as the Associate Director for the Office of Educational Services for the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers of North America.
Tom dedicated his life to Catholic education and was passionate about Christian Brother education. While his resume and list of accolades are incredibly long, Tom’s mission was simple: to bring people together and closer to God. His goal was to evangelize by building community and showing people their value. Outside of his love of family, Tom was an avid cruiser, always with his wife, “Mojo,” lively fan of Boston sports, extreme novice golfer and scotch connoisseur.
He was the loving father of Michael J. (Shanaz) Gambardella, Matthew J. (Christina Napolitano) Gambardella, Regina G. (Scott) Connolly, and Mark T. (Sarah) Gambardella. He also leaves his beloved grandchildren Marlowe J. Connolly and Sloane T. Gambardella and his siblings Vincent J. Gambardella and Robert C. (Shirley) Gambardella.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial Friday March 12, 2021 at 11am at St. Kevin Church, Sandy Lane Warwick and will be live streamed at www.stkevin-stbenedict.org Burial will be private.
Full obituary and condolences, visit theQuinnFuneralHome.Com
