Obituary for Charles Carmen Gamatoria Sr.
Charles Carmen Gamatoria
Charles was born in Havre de Grace on March 4, 1928 and was baptized at St Patrick’s Catholic Church later that year. He was the youngest and last surviving child of Umberto Primo DiGiamittorio and Ciula Malatesta DiGiamittorio, both whom immigrated from Italy to the United States- making passage through Ellis Island in 1918. Charles was preceded in death by his three older siblings Joseph Dominick, in 1986- Victoria Hartmann in 1992 and Rose in 2015. He is survived by his Children- Charles Jr, Stephen and his wife Pattie and Angela and her husband Bob. Grandchildren, Charles III, Joseph, Angel, Stephen Jr., Alyssa, and Anna. Great Grandchildren- May, Carmen, June, and Stella. His nephews Carl Hartmann Jr. and wife Susan, Louis Hartmann and his wife Rachel and Niece Julia Weidrow, and her husband Harold, as well as grand and great grand nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased in death by his daughter -in law, JoAnn Gamatoria. Like most children born to Italian immigrants, his parents did not speak, read nor write English. Italian – not English was his first language and was spoken in the home while growing up; His oldest sister Rose assumed the responsibility for [not only] learning English, but also was responsible to educate her parents and siblings in speaking and reading English as well. Growing up with meager means, he spent his spare time earning extra money setting up his portable shoe shine chair with his friend Bobby Carroll in front of the 1st National Bank (now LeBanc de Fleur), or delivering groceries in his wagon for Asher’s Grocery Store or picking dandelions for “dandelion wine” or catching and selling black birds for a family friend in Philadelphia for Black Bird Pie. Most days, he could be found fishing behind the Seneca Canary or Asher’s wharf or at the old Havre de Grace Dump (what is now Hutchins Park). His passion for fishing continued throughout his life, up until he was no longer able do so, because of his failing health. As a young boy, he often recalled trips to Philadelphia with his family in his father’s Model A Ford that had only a windshield, no rear or side windows and no heater. His Father could not read road signs but navigated using landmarks along the way to guide them safely to Mercy Street in South Philly, where they met relatives and purchased large sacks of dried goods that allowed them to sustain during the winter months. Growing up in Havre de Grace, he often spoke of the many fun times he had playing with childhood friends including Jesse Bennington, Allen Kirtscher, Mike Tarquini, Jinx Walker, Charlie McLhinney, Bobby and Ray Carroll, and his best friend and confident – his older brother Joe. He was often found swimming at the former Penn’s Beach (now Heron Harbor) with his sister Victoria-whom he said was his protector, “always ready to step in and straighten things out…. and wouldn’t take grief from anyone.” Charles was a graduate of Havre de Grace High School- Class of 1946 where he excelled as an athlete. He played catcher on the ball team- along with his battery mate pitcher Mike Tarquini; first baseman, J. Noble Mentzer; and outfielder Allen Kirtscher. He was a standout Soccer Player and Captain of the Soccer Team, where he was known for his speed and ball-handling agility. He received honors as the team MVP, as well as being recognized as the MVP in the Penn Mar League’s. While a student at HHS, he attempted to quit school, with thoughts of enlisting in the military to join his brother Joe, who was serving in the US Army in Europe and Asia. This attempt was thwarted by HHS Principal Professor Davis, who convinced Charles’s parents to make him remain in school and graduate. After graduating from HHS, he then served his Country in the US ARMY and was assigned to the 578th Signal Construction Company, at Camp Gordon, GA and later at Fort Belvoir, VA. He was discharged to the Enlisted Reserve Corps as Corporal in 1952. Charles returned to Havre de Grace and worked a variety of jobs, including Asher’s Grocery Store and as a laborer at Blackson’s Construction Company. Using the skills that he learned while serving in the US ARMY, he landed a job at the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company. He often proclaimed that during his career with C&P Telephone Company that he climbed or set most every telephone pole from Havre de Grace to Northeast. He also joked that he had been in every house in Havre de Grace at one time or another servicing telephone equipment. As technology progressed- he was educated on a new telecommunication platform for businesses -called Private Branch Exchanges or (PBX Systems); His responsibility shifted to maintaining commercial systems at the Bainbridge Naval Training Center, Perry Point VA, and Harford Memorial Hospital. He remained employed at C&P telephone Company for 31 years, retiring in 1984. Charles was active in a number of civic organizations, including the Havre de Grace Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, Pioneers if America, and a Havre de Grace Little League Coach. He was a life member of the Jos. L Davis Post 47American Legion. His greatest love, however, was his service as a member of the Susquehanna Hose Company, joining the Department in August 1948. Prior to his death, he was the oldest living member of the Hose Company (at nearly 94 years of age- and having nearly 74 years of service). He held the positions of Lieutenant, Captain, Board Member, House Committee Chairman, Softball Coach and Chair or Co-Chair of the construction committees for the Fire Stations located at Juniata Street, Market Street and Revolution Street. He also Co-Chaired a number of the Fleet committees, including the Committee that worked nearly 5 years to develop the specifications for the Hose Company’s articulating boom aerial unit, known as the snorkel- the first of its kind in this region. This committee was not only responsible for delivering what was then the most expensive unit ever purchased, it was one of the most advanced and state of the art pieces of fire-fighting apparatus for its time, but it also surprised the membership of the Company when it was delivered as being the first unit with the New “White” paint scheme, rather than the traditional Fire Engine Red paint, which is [now] the signature color of all SHCO Fire Equipment. During his tenure, he received many accolades over the years, including the President’s Award, SHCO Fireman of the Year, SHCO Life Member, served as a Trustee for the Harford Cecil Fireman’s Association, a Delegate for the Maryland Stated Firemen’s Association and was inducted into Harford- Cecil Fireman’s Hall of Fame. In his later years, Charles could be found every day, hanging out at one of the fire houses, where he embraced the younger members and provided guidance with the traditions of the fire service. When not at the Fire house- he would “unofficially supervise” City of Havre de Grace DPW crews on construction projects, respectfully providing input on how things used to be done. Charles led a very simple life; and loved the simple pleasures in life – playing horseshoes or boche ball with his Father and his Father’s friends at Bennie Cianelli’s house on Sundays, poker night at the Fire House, going to the racetrack or casino, tending to his impeccable vegetable gardens, boating on the Susquehanna and most of all fishing. He never lost his childhood passion for fishing and would sit for hours along the banks of the Susquehanna River, typically throwing everything back to be caught again on another day. Whatever he was doing, he always was seen with his signature cigar. He will be remembered as a good man, who worked hard /led by example and was a man of word. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Friends and family may make a contribution in his memory to SHCO, P.O. Box 58, Havre de Grace, MD 21078. Messages of condolences or memories to share may be made to www.zellmanfuneralhome.com
Charles was born in Havre de Grace on March 4, 1928 and was baptized at St Patrick’s Catholic Church later that year. He was the youngest and last surviving child of Umberto Primo DiGiamittorio and Ciula Malatesta DiGiamittorio, both whom immigrated from Italy to the United States- making passage through Ellis Island in 1918. Charles was preceded in death by his three older siblings Joseph Dominick, in 1986- Victoria Hartmann in 1992 and Rose in 2015. He is survived by his Children- Charles Jr, Stephen and his wife Pattie and Angela and her husband Bob. Grandchildren, Charles III, Joseph, Angel, Stephen Jr., Alyssa, and Anna. Great Grandchildren- May, Carmen, June, and Stella. His nephews Carl Hartmann Jr. and wife Susan, Louis Hartmann and his wife Rachel and Niece Julia Weidrow, and her husband Harold, as well as grand and great grand nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased in death by his daughter -in law, JoAnn Gamatoria. Like most children born to Italian immigrants, his parents did not speak, read nor write English. Italian – not English was his first language and was spoken in the home while growing up; His oldest sister Rose assumed the responsibility for [not only] learning English, but also was responsible to educate her parents and siblings in speaking and reading English as well. Growing up with meager means, he spent his spare time earning extra money setting up his portable shoe shine chair with his friend Bobby Carroll in front of the 1st National Bank (now LeBanc de Fleur), or delivering groceries in his wagon for Asher’s Grocery Store or picking dandelions for “dandelion wine” or catching and selling black birds for a family friend in Philadelphia for Black Bird Pie. Most days, he could be found fishing behind the Seneca Canary or Asher’s wharf or at the old Havre de Grace Dump (what is now Hutchins Park). His passion for fishing continued throughout his life, up until he was no longer able do so, because of his failing health. As a young boy, he often recalled trips to Philadelphia with his family in his father’s Model A Ford that had only a windshield, no rear or side windows and no heater. His Father could not read road signs but navigated using landmarks along the way to guide them safely to Mercy Street in South Philly, where they met relatives and purchased large sacks of dried goods that allowed them to sustain during the winter months. Growing up in Havre de Grace, he often spoke of the many fun times he had playing with childhood friends including Jesse Bennington, Allen Kirtscher, Mike Tarquini, Jinx Walker, Charlie McLhinney, Bobby and Ray Carroll, and his best friend and confident – his older brother Joe. He was often found swimming at the former Penn’s Beach (now Heron Harbor) with his sister Victoria-whom he said was his protector, “always ready to step in and straighten things out…. and wouldn’t take grief from anyone.” Charles was a graduate of Havre de Grace High School- Class of 1946 where he excelled as an athlete. He played catcher on the ball team- along with his battery mate pitcher Mike Tarquini; first baseman, J. Noble Mentzer; and outfielder Allen Kirtscher. He was a standout Soccer Player and Captain of the Soccer Team, where he was known for his speed and ball-handling agility. He received honors as the team MVP, as well as being recognized as the MVP in the Penn Mar League’s. While a student at HHS, he attempted to quit school, with thoughts of enlisting in the military to join his brother Joe, who was serving in the US Army in Europe and Asia. This attempt was thwarted by HHS Principal Professor Davis, who convinced Charles’s parents to make him remain in school and graduate. After graduating from HHS, he then served his Country in the US ARMY and was assigned to the 578th Signal Construction Company, at Camp Gordon, GA and later at Fort Belvoir, VA. He was discharged to the Enlisted Reserve Corps as Corporal in 1952. Charles returned to Havre de Grace and worked a variety of jobs, including Asher’s Grocery Store and as a laborer at Blackson’s Construction Company. Using the skills that he learned while serving in the US ARMY, he landed a job at the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company. He often proclaimed that during his career with C&P Telephone Company that he climbed or set most every telephone pole from Havre de Grace to Northeast. He also joked that he had been in every house in Havre de Grace at one time or another servicing telephone equipment. As technology progressed- he was educated on a new telecommunication platform for businesses -called Private Branch Exchanges or (PBX Systems); His responsibility shifted to maintaining commercial systems at the Bainbridge Naval Training Center, Perry Point VA, and Harford Memorial Hospital. He remained employed at C&P telephone Company for 31 years, retiring in 1984. Charles was active in a number of civic organizations, including the Havre de Grace Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, Pioneers if America, and a Havre de Grace Little League Coach. He was a life member of the Jos. L Davis Post 47American Legion. His greatest love, however, was his service as a member of the Susquehanna Hose Company, joining the Department in August 1948. Prior to his death, he was the oldest living member of the Hose Company (at nearly 94 years of age- and having nearly 74 years of service). He held the positions of Lieutenant, Captain, Board Member, House Committee Chairman, Softball Coach and Chair or Co-Chair of the construction committees for the Fire Stations located at Juniata Street, Market Street and Revolution Street. He also Co-Chaired a number of the Fleet committees, including the Committee that worked nearly 5 years to develop the specifications for the Hose Company’s articulating boom aerial unit, known as the snorkel- the first of its kind in this region. This committee was not only responsible for delivering what was then the most expensive unit ever purchased, it was one of the most advanced and state of the art pieces of fire-fighting apparatus for its time, but it also surprised the membership of the Company when it was delivered as being the first unit with the New “White” paint scheme, rather than the traditional Fire Engine Red paint, which is [now] the signature color of all SHCO Fire Equipment. During his tenure, he received many accolades over the years, including the President’s Award, SHCO Fireman of the Year, SHCO Life Member, served as a Trustee for the Harford Cecil Fireman’s Association, a Delegate for the Maryland Stated Firemen’s Association and was inducted into Harford- Cecil Fireman’s Hall of Fame. In his later years, Charles could be found every day, hanging out at one of the fire houses, where he embraced the younger members and provided guidance with the traditions of the fire service. When not at the Fire house- he would “unofficially supervise” City of Havre de Grace DPW crews on construction projects, respectfully providing input on how things used to be done. Charles led a very simple life; and loved the simple pleasures in life – playing horseshoes or boche ball with his Father and his Father’s friends at Bennie Cianelli’s house on Sundays, poker night at the Fire House, going to the racetrack or casino, tending to his impeccable vegetable gardens, boating on the Susquehanna and most of all fishing. He never lost his childhood passion for fishing and would sit for hours along the banks of the Susquehanna River, typically throwing everything back to be caught again on another day. Whatever he was doing, he always was seen with his signature cigar. He will be remembered as a good man, who worked hard /led by example and was a man of word. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Friends and family may make a contribution in his memory to SHCO, P.O. Box 58, Havre de Grace, MD 21078. Messages of condolences or memories to share may be made to www.zellmanfuneralhome.com