Cecil T. Gamory, a 40 year resident of Warwick New York, passed away in Hollywood Florida (his home for the past 2 years), on April 8, 2012 . He was 79 years old.
Born on March 23, 1933 in New York, NY, he was the son of the late Joseph and Agatha (Pierre) Gamory. He was raised in the Bronx NY, and attended Alfred E. Smith High School. He was married to the late Mary A. Sosak (2009), whom he met while they were working in Shraft’s Restaurant in New York City.
Mr. Gamory retired as Union (Master) Carpenter in New York City and was a member of St. Stephens RC Church, Warwick. In his early professional years, he tried professional boxing for a short time, was a co-owner of a industrial dump truck, and had a construction demolition and waste carting company. In the 1970’s, he attended City University of New York, studying construction engineering ( while working full time and raising 5 children) and was elevated to Construction Superintendent for the Gramercy Contracting Company. He was proud to point out the various NYC landmarks that he had worked on during his career including the 33rd Street U.S. Post Office, 14th Street, Union Square Subway Station, and Governor’s Island to name a few.
He was a friend to all people, irrespective of religious, racial or social background and lived a life that trail blazed social and racial equality, evidenced by his interracial marriage to Mary, his eclectic group of close friends and associates, and his love to host and attend frequent gatherings of friends and family. In 1969 Mr. Gamory, with the help of family members, friends and co-workers, started construction of a home in upstate New York while still living and working in New York City. It took a number of years to complete but this audacious idea paid off in 1976 when he moved his family from the Bronx to the house in Warwick, NY, a testament to his courage, strength and vision.
Cecil was a free spirit who enjoyed life and was known at times as a jokester, who loved Calypso music. His struggle with Parkinson's Disease over the past 12 years impacted his previous active lifestyle that was full of travel and celebration of life. He traveled to Grenada multiple times over the years and was there during the 1983 United States military operation during which he was evacuated on a U.S. military helicopter.
He is survived by his children: Therese Harrison of Germantown, MD, Cecil T. Gamory, Jr., Thaddeus Gamory of Boca Raton, FL, Bernadette Gamory of Hollywood, FL, Francine Gamory of Middletown, NY, and Tim Gamory of Warwick, NY; a sister, Eltee Pierre of Bronx, NY; a brother, Sheldon Gamory of Brentwood, NY; ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Friday, April 13th, from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am on Saturday at St. Stephens RC Church, followed by interment in St. Stephens Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be sent to Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018, or to South Focal Point Meyerhoff Center, Florida