Joseph ‘Joe’ Gambuzza, legendary Lafayette High School baseball coach and Marlboro Township, New Jersey resident, passed away this week at the age of 80, leaving his family, friends, and loved ones devastated.
While details surrounding the death of legendary baseball coach Joseph Gambuzza are not yet available, many of his loved ones are paying tribute and extending their heartfelt condolences to his family.
A New Jersey resident, Lori Ann Fiore Fiordimondo, recalled coach Joseph Gambuzza as a source of joy who would light the room with his cheerful nature.
Joseph Gambuzza touched the lives of many students as an exceptional teacher and baseball coach.
Furthermore, Gambuzza built an extraordinary legacy over his 22-year tenure at Lafayette High School as a head baseball coach.
During his tenure, he guided the team to an impressive 566-175-14 record, never missing the playoffs in 22 consecutive seasons.
Under his leadership, Lafayette made 12 trips to the final four and captured the city championship, culminating in a USA Today national No. 1 ranking in 1991.
Gambuzza also helped develop several players who went on to major league careers, including John Franco, Luis Lopez, Benny DiStefano, and Kevin Baez.
In his final season as coach, Joseph led Lafayette to a 28-12-1 record and an appearance in the Elite 8, leaving a mark of consistent excellence.
He retired from coaching in 1999 at the age of 55. In addition to his coaching career, he also served as a teacher for over two decades at Lafayette, retiring in 2001.
Likewise, Gambuzza also served as boys soccer coach and boys basketball coach at Lafayette.
As a longtime boys soccer coach, he led the team to 66 wins in his last 67 games in the B Division.
Joseph Gambuzza’s remarkable contribution to the sports community will always be remembered.
Joseph Gambuzza is Survived By His Longtime Wife, Dorothy Gambuzza, Son Jeffrey, and The Whole Family
In addition to being an amazing coach, Joseph Gambuzza was also a devoted husband to his longtime wife, Dorothy Gambuzza.
While not much is known about Dorothy as she prefers to maintain a low profile, late Joseph Gambuzza often shared pictures of his longtime wife on social media, expressing his love for her.
Similarly, Joseph Gambuzza was also a proud father of a son named Jeffrey Gambuzza, an avid sportsman.
Joseph’s son, Jeffrey Gambuzza, has been serving as the chief compliance officer and agency control officer of Strategies for Wealth since 2011.
He also worked at The Guardian Life Insurance Company and New York Life before joining his current company.
Similarly, Jeff served as a successful stock and bond broker and sales manager working at two Wall Street boutique firms, including managing accounts for professional athletes, before pursuing his career in the field of compliance.
He is a 1995 graduate of Hofstra University, earning a BA in Speech Arts and Sciences and a concentration in Public Speaking.
Prior to Hofstra, Jeffrey attended and played college baseball for two years at the College of Staten Island as a first baseman, following in his father Joseph’s footsteps.
Jeffrey Gambuzza currently lives with his family in Connecticut.
In addition to his wife Dorothy and son, Jeffrey, Joseph Gambuzza is survived by his daughter-in-law, Lynda, and grandchildren Celine and Tristan.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- The late Joseph Gambuzza, born on October 16, 1944, played baseball as a first baseman in high school and college.
- His memorial services will take place on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at Freeman Funeral Home in Manalapan, NJ.
- Joseph’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025, at St. Gabriel’s Church, 100 North Main Street, Marlboro, New Jersey.
