Philomena Gambardella, 88, passed away peacefully in the presence of her family at Atria Larson Place in Hamden, Connecticut on February 11, 2016. Born August 19, 1927 in New Haven, Connecticut, she was the daughter of Mary and Frederico Vitale.  She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Attilio Gambardella.  She is survived by her children, Sandra (wife of Thomas) Massimino of Massachusetts, John (husband of Denise) Gambardella of North Haven, Eleanor Gambardella of Wallingford, Frances Gambardella of North Haven, and William (husband of Rosalind) Gambardella of North Haven, as well as her grandchildren, Jeffrey and Ryan Massimino, Maxwell and Nicole Prete, and Danielle, Gregory, Evan, and Molly Gambardella.  She is also survived by sisters Josephine (wife of Trio) Oliverio of Hamden and Camilla Gravante of West Haven. Philomena graduated Commercial High School in 1945 with honors, studying Journalism.  She was a column editor for “The Commercial News,”, which received an International Honor Rating and the George H. Gallup Award for 1944-1945 publications.  This award was sponsored by the Quill and Scroll Society and International Honorary Society for High School Journalists under the auspices of the Medill School of Journalism of Northwestern University. She was best known for her singing ability, performing in a variety of plays and public events, and also as an organist and vocalist at several area churches.  She was praised for her beautiful soprano voice in high school, in which she sung “My Hero” in “Smile at the Birdie”.  This led to her numerous theater performances, such as chorus lead in Madame Butterfly at the Shubert Theater, and most notably Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass” performed at the Kontherthaus,Vienna, Austria.  Leonard Bernstein personally greeted and acclaimed Philomena’s “splendid rendition of his work" for her solo performance of “Thank you".

 

Philomena also served as the Music Director for the Senior Songsters’ Choral group of the North Haven Senior Center, and was a member of the New Haven Chorale and the Experimental Theater. A sought after soloist and organist, she was well known in multiple churches and participated in many social and religious affairs.

Patriotic, she performed at many Veteran and Memorial Day events, singing songs such as “God Bless America” and “The Star Spangled Banner” with the Yale Symphony Orchestra at the Shubert Theater , at the State Capitol for the proclamation of Purple Heart day on August 29, 1997 and numerous other public events. Philomena was dedicated to boosting the morale of friends in the military during World War II by corresponding extensively with those overseas in the service. Additionally, she was an entrepreneur – owning a clothing store – and a journalist, writing columns for local newspapers.  She also did extensive research compiling and authoring a book on Peter’s Rock in North Haven, where she lived at the foot of for over 50 years. Civic minded, she served on the Town of North Haven Board of Ethics, was active in the community, and frequently wrote letters to the United States Congress and Senate on issues that needed to be addressed. Philomena was a wonderful loving mother and person who will be missed dearly. The family would also like to extend their deep gratitude to the staff of Atria Larsen and Constellation Health Service for the outstanding care and support provided.

Her funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue Tuesday morning February 16, 2016 at 10:30.  Family and friends may call from 9:00 to 10:30 AM. A mass of Christian burial will follow in St. Barnabas Church at 11:00 AM.  Entombment will follow in the All Saints Mausoleum in North Haven. Should friends desire, contributions can be made in lieu of flowers to the North Haven High School Music Department, Attention: Ken Tedeschi.