The Robert A. Gamberdella Memorial Scholarship

The Robert A. Gamberdella Memorial Scholarship presented its final scholarship by his sister Vanessa Gamberdella Carroll at the Pine Orchard Country Club for the BHS Varsity Hockey Dinner Thursday, March 31, 2022. Each year since 1978 Bob's legacy has been realized, awarding 45 deserving seniors a scholarship to further their education.

At a very young age Bobby (nicknamed “Gambe”) skated on any pond frozen over during each winter's bone. He played youth hockey, and continued playing for Cheshire Academy, New Preparatory College Prep School and Nathaniel Hawthorne College. He eventually made Branford, Connecticut his homestead at 36 Windmill Hill Road along with his 2 beloved dogs Bullet and Gabriel by his side. With his love for the game, he felt the lack of an organized hockey program in Branford deprived boys 18 years and younger of a healthy and constructive experience. Over the next 7 years Bob, along with the help of friends namely Lou DeSerio, Guy Bradley, Skip Schwanfelder, Allan Quail, and Dawn Sassi Dembron, developed a club team within The Southern Connecticut Amateur Hockey League. The team eventually had an undefeated season in 1975-1976. More important to Bobby than winning was the idea that everyone who possessed the desire to play hockey was given a chance to skate. The club team grew to 22 players 14 to 18 years of age. Bob cajoled fundraisers, raffles, cookouts and parties for ice time from all available resources. Whether a practice was at 5:00 a.m. in East Haven or 10:00 p.m at Wesleyan Bob consistently sacrificed his business and social pursuits to the concept of youth hockey for this young Branford Hockey Club. Plus having a good friend in Bob Ward, bus transportation for the team was made possible by the Ward Bus Company. His end game was that Branford High School would eventually add hockey to its sports curriculum.

Sadly on March 21, 1977, Bob lost his life in a tragic automobile accident. The deep sense of loss felt by his family and friends was deeply shared by the team he so cared for and was devoted to.The following year after his death, Branford High School Athletics adopted the club. Skip Schwanfelder took the wheel as coach with other coaches to follow throughout the years. To this day it holds its place as the Branford High School Hockey Varsity Team. It was only fitting for those who knew and loved Bobby that a memorial for him would be established. A trust was designated which allowed his scholarship to be annually awarded as a “continuing education scholarship”. A senior player would become a recipient who possessed the drive, desire and effort for which Bobby would always be remembered. Ten years later an anniversary memorial fundraiser for his scholarship fund was organized by one of his proteges, Joseph Monroe. It was a huge success. On November 17, 2000 Bobby was inducted into the Branford Sports Hall Of Fame.

The Gamberdella family have decided this would be the final year of his scholarship. They have donated the remainder of the scholarship funds to the hockey booster club. Bob’s sisters will forever be grateful for the enduring friends of Bobby, especially his childhood friend Atty. Michael J.Whalen, who had sustained his legacy since his passing. Their gratitude extends beyond to the parents of the players, its Booster Club and past to present coaches. All of whom welcomed them every year into the fold of their community to honor their beloved son and brother’s legacy for the past 45 years.