Julius Peter Gambetta

Julius P. “Pete” Gambetta
August 9, 1924 – March 6, 2020

Pete Gambetta, 95, of Madera, passed away on Friday, March 6 at Madera Community Hospital. Pete was born in San Rafael, CA, and was raised during the depression in the bay area. Pete excelled at sports and played collegiate level football, basketball and golf at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA, which was interrupted by his service in the US Army during WWII, where he was part of the Normandy invasion and the end of the war.

Pete finished college after WWII and passed on an opportunity to playing in the emerging NFL. He instead started his almost 40 year career in agricultural sales in the central valley, which ultimately brought him to Madera. Pete was an avid golfer and a longtime member of Madera Golf & Country Club.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents, his two older sisters, Dorothy & Anna, his older brother Joseph and his first wife Jean.

Pete is survived by his second wife Audry “Bobbi” Thomason, his in-laws Billie Newby, Brenda Ramsay Naomi & Frank Meckler, his son Matt Gambetta, his stepson Rodney Thomason, his stepdaughter Deborah Thomason, nine grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.

His Memorial service will be at 2:00 pm on Sunday, March 15 at Jay Chapel  (Moved from Arbor Vitae Cemetery due to rain)
Remembrances may be made to V.F.W. Post 1981, Madera, CA