Michael “Old Iron Pants” Gamm, an Area Resident, Dies at 79

Michael “Old Iron Pants” Gamma Sr. entered into eternal rest on March 13, 2018, he was 79.

The son of the late Alexander and Eve (Kukla) Gamma, he was born in Newburgh, NY on April 19, 1938, where he attended high school at Newburgh Free Academy. Michael served in the US Marine Corps from 1958 until 1964 when he was honorably discharged. Michael was a devout parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi, a member of American Legion and the Walden Sportsmen’s Club.

Michael was as stubborn as they come but he had a heart of gold. His motto was “Something Attempted, Something Done”, which he demonstrated by raising three young boys on his own. These three boys grew into extraordinary men with all the best characteristics of their father. May God relieve you of your duty, Marine. Rest now in His hands and hope he doesn’t let go after you tell him the same joke for the millionth time.

Michael is survived by his honey of 35 years Barbara Monte; his beloved children Taras Gamma of Baltimore MD, Michael Gamma of Middletown, Matthew Gamma and girlfriend Kerry O’Hara of Middletown, Rick Monte of Orlando FL, Christine Monte of South Carolina and Pamela Monte of Stuart FL; siblings Peter Gamma and wife Marian of Delaware, Alex Gamma of Newburgh, Catherine Bowden of Newburgh, Patricia Durante of Newburgh, Carolyn Crisci and husband Richard of DE and Robert Kukla of Albany; grandchildren Brittany Gamma of AZ, Alyssa Gamma of VA, Logan and Owen Gamma and their mother Leslie Gamma, all of VA, and Gracie Gamma of Middletown; nieces and nephews Jennifer Durante of FL, Fallon Skelding of MI, Peter Gamma of CT, Brett Gamma of MD, Suzanna Muschio of NY, Richard Crisci, David Crisci, Alex Gamma III of FL, Kayla Chanowitz of NY and Eddie Muschio of NY.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother in-law Walter Bowden Jr.

Visitation will be held Friday March 16 from 5-8pm at Brooks Funeral Home. Mass will take place Saturday March 17 at St. Francis of Assisi Church at 9:30am. Burial will follow in Orange County Veterans Cemetery, Goshen, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.