Obituary of Charles A. “Bud” Gazzara

Charles A. "Bud" Gazzara, 77, of Hammonton passed away on Tuesday in AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Galloway. Born in Philadelphia he was a lifelong resident of Hammonton. Mr. Gazzara was a retired branch manager for Metropolitan Insurance Co. He also formerly worked for Nationwide Insurance and was a bus driver for the Atlantic County Vocational School and Hammonton Public Schools. He served in the U.S Air Force. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Palotti Council, St. Joseph Wildcatters, Boot Hill Gun Club, the American Legion F.A. Funston Post 186 and he was a member of the Hammonton Volunteer Rescue Squad for thirty three years serving as Chief of the squad for many years. Mr. Gazzara was an exempt member of the Hammonton Fire Company No. 1. He was a member of the N.J. First Aid Council, where he formerly served as President. He was the Mobilization Director for the Atlantic County Office of Emergency Management. In 1982 he was named N.J. Volunteer of the Year and was recognized by Gov. Kean and President Reagan. Buddy was a proud member of the Melody Men Band where he played the saxophone. He was an avid Phillies Fan and he was the 1999 Player of the week for Phillies Dream week. He also served as athletic trainer for St. Joseph High School's first football team in 1962. He was predeceased by his parents: Frank and Fannie Gazzara and his sister: Angela Mazzeo. Mr. Gazzara is survived by his wife, Myra Gazzara, two sons, Butch Gazzara (Rose) of Folsom; Robert Gazzara (Deborah); one daughter, Nancy DeMaio (Frank) all of Hammonton; one stepson: Steven Kelly (Beth) of Leeds Point; two brothers: Frank J. Gazzara, Jr. (Roseanne) of Hammonton; Carl "Tobby" Gazzara of Medford and his grandchildren: Frank, Lyndsay, Matthew, Louis, Elizabeth, Katie (Greg), Jillian, Robin, Arthur(Jennifer), and Kristine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday 10:00am in St. Mary of Mount Carmel Parish at St. Martin De Porres Church, 129 Park Ave., Hammonton. Entombment will follow in Greenmount Cemetery. A viewing will be held Friday evening 6:30pm until 9:00pm and again on Saturday 8:30am until 9:30am at the Carnesale Funeral Home, 202 S. Third St., Hammonton. Memorial Donations maybe made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.