Al Gambone

I would remiss if I did not note–with sadness and regret–the passing of Al Gambone. From the December 24 edition of the Norristown Times Herald newspaper, here is Al’s obituary.

Albert Michael Gambone, age 69, passed away Monday, December 22, 2008 at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Gambone was born September 29, 1939 in Norristown, Pennsylvania, a son of the late Frank Angelo Gambone and Jennie Asko Gambone.

Mr. Gambone was a U.S. Army veteran and a retired business owner.

He relocated from Connecticut to Myrtle Beach 13 years ago with his wife Nancy.

Mr. Gambone was a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Myrtle Beach and a longstanding member of the Lions Club in Connecticut.

His passion in life was the Civil War.

He authored seven books and lectured extensively on the Civil War.

Mr. Gambone was predeceased in addition to his parents by his son; Michael D. Gambone and his daughter-in-law, Debbie Gambone. Survivors include his wife, Nancy M. Gambone; his sons, Stephan Gambone of Erie, PA, Chad Turtoro and his wife, Julia of Goshen, CT; his daughters, Lynn Woodel and her husband, Ken of Erie, PA, Jennifer Mitchell and her husband, Craig of Oakdale, CT, Hallie Testo and her husband, Andrew of Stratford, CT; his sister, Joan Saraceni and her husband, Tony of King of Prussia, PA; his eleven grandchildren, his in-laws, Stanley ‘Best Buddy’ Marks and Susan Marks of Myrtle Beach, SC; his brother-in-law, Donald Marks and his wife, Maria of Providence, RI; and his beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Meggie.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, December 27, 2008 at St. Andrew Catholic Church with Monsignor Joseph Roth officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Community Kitchen of Myrtle Beach, 1411 Mr. Joe White Avenue, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578.

Al left us too soon at the age of 69, a time when he should have been enjoying his grandchildren and writing about the Civil War.

I had the good fortune to meet Al at a couple of Ted Alexander’s Chambersburg soirees. Al was inevitably a cheerful and pleasant addition to any program, and he brought a great passion and knowledge to his presentations. He was a gentleman and a fine historian.

Al wrote several excellent biographies, including books on Maj. Gen. John F. Hartranft, Brig. Gen. Samuel K. Zook, and Darius N. Couch. He also wrote an excellent study of the role played by his fellow Norristown native, Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock, at Gettysburg, and finally, a useful volume on Ohio memorials at Gettysburg. All of Al’s books are part of Butternut & Blue’s Army of the Potomac Series, and all are still in print.

Our Civil War community is a little bit worse off today due to Al’s passing. Condolences to his family on its loss.