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Alexander Peter Gamma - Class of 1962
Submitted by Bill Norvell 1965 <w.norvell@att.net> on 13/Jul/2022 107.145.178.172
Alex
Gamma Jr. was born on October 22nd, 1942 to Alex Gamma Sr. and Eva Catherine
Kukla Gamma of First Street in Newburgh, NY. Alex served his nation proudly in
the US Army during the Vietnam War from March 1967 – March 1969 as Specialist
4th Class in the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. He earned
a bronze star, gallantry cross, and a marksman qualification badge during his
two years of honorable service. Alex was a member of American Legion Post 1796,
Elks Post 247 and VFW Newburgh, NY post. He touted multiple seasons of NFA
basketball, Town of Newburgh softball and bowled for over 40 years in various
leagues with his lifelong tag team partner and brother, Peter Gamma Jr.
Alex was the type of guy that could walk into a room full of strangers and
within a couple hours be friends with half of them. He was strong willed,
happy-go-lucky and had a charisma level that could light up a room. He
selflessly volunteered his time to play Santa Clause not just at family parties,
but also for non-profit organizations such as Black Rock Fish and Gaming, Elks
Post 247 and the VFW. If there was a WWF pay per view on a Sunday night, chances
are there was a party at the Gamma household. Alex’s favorite star was the
Undertaker and spared no expense to enrich the experience for the attending
guests and their children. Alex carried with him a magic charisma that could not
be taught, learned or duplicated. He was the most fun-loving guy to come out of
Newburgh!
Alex had a couple famous quotes of wisdom that we incorporate into our daily
lives:
“If you can count the number of true friends you have on one hand, you are a
lucky man!”
“Show me your circle of friends and I’ll show you YOU”
“You will only go so far in life with what you know. Who you know will help you
go even further!”
“You can always make more money, but you cannot get more time back, so make the
best use of it!”
Alex will forever be remembered as Uncle Al the kiddies pal. Rest well soldier!
We will be reunited again – in heaven!
Alex is survived by his son, Alexander Gamma III of West Palm Beach, FL and
stepson Steven Covillion of Cornwall, NY. Sisters: Catherine Bowden of Newburgh,
NY; Carol Crisci of DE and Pat Durante of Milford, MI. Brothers: Peter Gamma of
Bridgeville, DE, Michael Gamma Sr. (deceased) of Walden, NY. Nephews: Peter
Gamma of North Haledon, NJ; Brett Gamma of Darnestown, MD; Matt Gamma of
Northville, NY; Michael Gamma Jr. of Montgomery, NY; Taras Gamma of Forest Hill,
MD; Richard Crisci Jr. of DE and David Crisci of MD. Nieces: Fallon Durante of
Holly, MI Jennifer Durante of St. Petersburg, FL; Sue Muschio of Walden, NY. -
October 22, 1942 ~ July 12, 2022
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, July 21 at Brooks Funeral
Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at St.
Francis of Assisi Church, Newburgh, with burial following in Orange County
Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Goshen.
Alexander Peter Gamma
Jr. - Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 marked the departure of one of the most
charismatic, respected, funny and well-loved Newburgh natives as Alex Gamma Jr.
said his final goodbye to us.
Alex with his sisters Cathy & Carolyn
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