Carmella “Candy” Gamberale

Carmella “Candy” Gamberale, age 87 of Wayne, died peacefully at home on Saturday, June 6, 2020.  She had been landscaping that day, one of her favorite things to do, shortly before she passed away.

Candy had worked for Singer-Kearfott in West Paterson for her entire career.  She was among the most dedicated, hard-working people you would have ever met, and she was particularly proud of her career accomplishments at ‘Kearfott.’  Considering the era she grew up in, there were not many great career opportunities for women, then add on the fact that she hadn’t completed high school.  Yet Candy rose to become a Supervisor at Kearfott, overseeing a large team of engineers, all because of her natural intelligence, perseverance, and hard work.  She had the respect and admiration of her team, and she maintained close friendships with all of her coworkers throughout the years.  To say she was strong-willed and determined to succeed would be an understatement.

Candy grew up in Newark, NJ, in the North End of the city.  She attended Central High School and had a personality that endeared her to everyone she met.  As a young woman, she used to rent a cabin at the Jersey Shore each summer with her many friends, and her place was always ‘party central.’  Candy enjoyed entertaining, and this continued throughout her lifetime.  Her home was the center of some great parties over the years, and all of her family members fondly remember the parties at Candy’s house!  She had a really big heart and was generous to a fault, loved her family and all of her friends.  Nothing made her happier than having people over to her home for a BBQ and a party!  Her house was the location of countless parties and gatherings that typically included serval dozens of guests!  Her lawn shed was converted into a bar, and food never stopped flowing!  Along with her husband, Tom, they threw epic parties and simply loved having everyone over to join them.

Candy was always on the “go” and rarely sat still.  Her house was immaculate, she was always dressed perfectly and her hair was never out of place.  She enjoyed dressing up for holidays, whether it was Halloween or St. Patrick’s Day, she was dressed accordingly and having fun!  She found happiness by sharing her life with friends and family, and nothing made her more happy than having a crowd of loved-ones around the house!

Candy was also devoted to her husband, Thomas Dowd.  They had been together since the mid-1970’s and finally decided to marry sometime in the 1990’s.  They did everything together and took great care of each other.  They loved to go on cruises and were “Diamond” members with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.  It wasn’t uncommon for them to go on 3-4 cruises per year, and they especially loved getting away of ten days or more.  They’ve cruised all over the place, and made great memories together.  Sadly, Tom died in 2011 and Candy has missed him dearly ever since.

Candy is survived by her daughter; Joanna Osbun and her husband Lewis of Stockholm, NJ, Brian Dowd and his wife Elizabeth of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, her grandchildren; Tyler and Jenna Dowd, Lori and her husband Brian White, great-grandchidlren; Brianna and Kaitlyn White, a brother; Ben Gamberale of Orlando, FL, and her nephew; Joseph Gamberale of Florida. She was predeceased by her husband Tom Dowd in 2011, by her brother Joseph Gamberale in 2011, by her sister-in-law and best friend; Edith Gamberale in 2009, and by her niece Valerie Gamberale in 2011.