Obituary of Joseph Michael Gambardella

Joseph Michael Gambardella, Photographer, Chef, Great Guy, born in New Haven, CT on June 6, 1958. Joe was a loving man with a kind heart which gave out on July 19, 2012. He grew up in Hamden, CT and moved to Southern California in 1977. He then made his way to Carmel Valley and settled in the Bay Area. He learned his culinary skills from his mother and grandmother and made a career in restaurants and deli's. Joe worked with his brother Andy at Gambardella's Restaurant in Menlo Park and at JJ&F Market in Palo Alto. In 1993 he opened Ristorante Pazzo on Broadway in Redwood City. Four years ago Joe found his passion in photography. He began taking classes and quickly went from student to teacher sharing his gift of seeing the world through the lens. Joe's friends and family proudly display and enjoy his work. Joe and Beth Ann were married in 1997. Through the 15 years of marriage and almost 17 years together, they traveled and discovered beautiful places. They made a lovely home in Belmont. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 15 years and best friend, Beth Ann, his mother Eleanor and 4 brothers, Andy (Sharon) and Leo (Sharon) Gambardella, Raymond and David Martineau, Godfather, Billy Ceizler, Brother-in-law, Scott McGuire (Colette), Mother and Father-in-law, Elsia and Mick, 13 nieces and nephews, Alexandra, Andrew, Christina, Erika, Missy, Amy, Nick, Andy, Vinny, Megan, Caitlin, Cameron and Ian, 2 step daughters, Shannon Fischer, and Kelly Bernal, son-in-law, Anthony, Grandson, Caden and his beloved cat, Mitt. A memorial service for Joe will be held Thursday, July 26 at 11:00 at the Church of the Nativity, 210 Oak Grove Road in Menlo Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Joe's name to Autism Speaks, IFOPA, The Peninsula Humane Society, The American Heart Association or to the Palo Alto Players.




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