Michael J. Gambale, 54,
Vietnam War veteran

Michael J. Gambale, 54, of the Drexel Hill section of Upper Darby, a former police officer and Vietnam veteran, died Nov. 19 in Drexel Hill.

Born in Philadelphia, he was a resident of Lansdowne before moving to Drexel Hill. Mr. Gambale attended Upper Darby High School where he studied masonry in the vocational-technical school. A graduate of the Delaware County Municipal Police Academy, he was a former East Lansdowne police officer. Mr. Gambale also served as a lieutenant sergeant with the Delaware County Park Police, chief security officer with Drexelbrook Associates and as a private detective for Honey West.

A veteran of the Vietnam War, Mr. Gambale was a decorated Army Ranger. He was a volunteer with the Delaware County Fire Police. Known for his generosity of spirit, wit and courage, Mr. Gambale was devoted to his family and friends. He was an accomplished drummer and avid fisherman. Mr. Gambale was the son of the late John Michael Gambale.

Survivors: Wife, Kelly M. Lewis Gambale; mother, Anna Schmidt Gambale; brothers, John Gambale, William Gambale; sons, Michael J. Gambale Jr. of Washington, D.C., Thomas John Gambale of Manhattan, Kan., Joseph Nicholas Augustine of Springfield, James Francis Gambale of Blue Ash, Ohio, Robert James Cartlidge IV of Collingdale, Sean Christopher Gambale of Deptford, N.J., Matthew Thomas Gambale of Deptford, N.J., Kristopher Michael Gambale of Drexel Hill; daughters, Bobbie Lee Whiteside of Drexel Hill, Anna Aileen Gambale of Westville, N.J., Shannon Michele Cartlidge of Drexel Hill; 11 grandchildren.

Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday at the O’Leary Funeral Home, 640 E. Springfield Road, Springfield.

Visitation: 6:30 p.m. tonight at the funeral home.

Burial: SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple.

Contributions: NTAF Mid-Atlantic Heart Transplant Fund in honor of Stephen Bradley, 150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Suite F-120, Radnor, PA 19087.

Published in The Daily Times on Nov 24, 2008