William Savera Gimello is the son of the late Rocco “Rox” Gimello and Caterina Scogna. His father, known locally as the coach of the Camden Collegians, a semi-pro baseball team in the 1930s and 1940s, was also active in VFW affairs and politics.
Born on January 1, 1928, at 270 Mount Vernon Street in Camden, New Jersey, Bill Gimello was the second child, following his sister Margaret Loretta born in 1925. Both siblings attended Mulford Elementary School, Fetters School, Cooper B. Hatch Jr. High School, and Camden High School.
Bill graduated from Camden High School in June 1946, where he served as the president of his class. He was a member of the co-champion Camden High School football team of 1945, alongside notable teammates, including Antonio Doganiero, John Odorisio, Joseph Giordano, Frank Perrone, Angelo Errichetti, Joseph Pepe, Eric Williams, Albert Mitroz, Carmine Caprice, Edward Kitlas, Joseph Caparola, and Steve Szwak. Coached by Walt Nowak and John Zizak, this team was co-champions with Collingswood High School in Group 4.
Bill was also part of the track team, participating in the 440 relays at the University of Pennsylvania International Relays. After graduating from Rutgers in June 1950, Bill, along with friends Antonio Doganiero and Albert Mitroz, began his teaching and coaching career at Haddon Heights in 1950. While at Haddon Heights, he coached a junior varsity championship basketball team, which included two of the Belz brothers.
In 1956, Bill moved to the Valley Stream Central High School district in Long Island, New York, where he continued coaching football and became involved in labor relations, eventually serving as the Executive Secretary of the Valley Stream school district from 1956 to 1972.
In 1972, Bill joined the New York United Teachers Union as a Labor Relations Specialist, handling collective bargaining contracts and arbitration until his retirement in 1993. Following retirement, he delved into researching his father’s paternal family history in Italy, uncovering the correct surname as Ciamella and discovering a cousin, Tony Canadeo, enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
On May 4, 1957, Bill Gimello married Dolores Ann Ade, and they have three children: William Jr., Kathleen, and Stephen. Bill passed away on December 19, 2017 — two weeks before his 90th birthday.
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