Mayor’s wife, activist, dies unexpectedly
By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
The township is mourning the loss of its first lady and staunch community activist, Ellen Gambatese, 76.
According to a published obituary, Ms. Gambatese died Sunday night at St. Peter’s Hospital in New Brunswick.
As the news quickly spread throughout the township of about 45,000 people Tuesday, many expressed shock and disbelief that one of the community’s most active advocates was gone.
"Ellen’s passing is just devastating to the Gambatese family. We, her friends still can’t believe this has happened," Councilman-elect and longtime Democratic Party leader Jo Hochman said Tuesday. "We all feel disjointed and so sad. Ellen managed to touch the lives of so many people with all her activities."
Born in Paterson in 1936, Ms. Gambatese grew up in Wayne and eventually settled in West Paterson with her husband of 54 years, Mayor Frank Gambatese, and raised a family of five children, according to her obituary.
The couple moved to the township in 1992.
Ms. Gambatese earned a bachelor’s in education from Seton Hall University in West Orange in 1966 and worked as an elementary school teacher at St. Phillip’s Elementary School in Clifton for 19 years, retiring in 1985, according to the obituary.
As a retiree, Ms. Gambatese turned her energies to the township and served in key roles on several boards and committees as well as working as a diligent volunteer for other organizations such as her church, St. Augustine’s of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church in Kendall Park.
"Ellen Gambatese was a special person. While she gladly served and proudly represented South Brunswick as the Mayor’s wife, she was also a tireless advocate for the many causes and organizations she was passionate about," Township Manager Bernard Hvozdovic said in a statement Tuesday. "She logged thousands of volunteer hours over the years, whether it be as President of the South Brunswick Library Board of Trustees, Chairwoman of the Community Development Block Grant, Board of Directors member of the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey, or Docent at the New Jersey State House. Ellen’s contributions to South Brunswick Township were numerous. Her kind spirit, helpful nature, and love for the South Brunswick community will be greatly missed."
Ms. Gambatese was known throughout the community for her tireless advocacy and volunteerism for a variety of charities and the South Brunswick Public Library, where she served as president of the Board of Trustees until her death Sunday.
"Ellen served on the Library Board of Trustees since 1999 and was the current president. She was a strong advocate for the Library, for South Brunswick and for humanity," Library Director Chris Carbone said. "An inspiration, she was passionate in her beliefs and her desire to make the world a better place. Through her optimism, perseverance and dedication she worked tirelessly to take the impossible and make it probable. She touched the lives of many, and I am grateful to have known her."
Ms. Gambatese earned the Library Trustee of the Year Award from Middlesex County in 2010, one of several awards and recognition for her volunteerism, including the Silvio O Conte Award from the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey and the Barry Indik Memorial Award given by the Citizens for Independent Living.
"South Brunswick was lucky to have a wonderful first lady like Ellen. She was warm and funny, strong and courageous, and very intelligent," Sen. Linda Greenstein, D-14, said. "Ellen had a strong sense of right and wrong, and she always spoke her mind. We will miss her."
According to her obituary, she is survived by her husband; her sons Franc, Jr. of West Windsor and John Paul of South Brunswick; her daughters MaryAnne Bross of Livingston, Rosemary Peng of Piscataway, and Christine Alencewicz of Baldwinsville, New York; her brothers Leon and George Bertsch; her sisters Elizabeth Zanowiak, Geraldine Mumm, Judy Morton Platt, and Mary Frances Kelkar; and 11 grandchildren., Matthew, Andrew and Joshua Bross, Joey, Jaedi and John Paul Gambatese, Michael, Kelly and Brian Peng and Nicholas and Casey Alencewicz.
Family surrounded Mayor Gambatese Tuesday, according to one family member answering the phone at the home.
According to the obituary, friends and relatives may call on Thursday, Nov. 15 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at St. Augustine of Canterbury, Henderson Road in Kendall Park.
A Mass will be held on Friday, 10 a.m., at St. Augustine's.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Red Cross or any Hurricane Sandy Relief charity, according to the obituary .