9th AF Patch

416th Bombardment Group (L)

Carmen T. (Carl) Sgamboti

Restoration Crew Chief - "Reida Rae"

April 21, 1940 - February 21, 2016

416th Bombardment Group (L) Honorary Veteran

 WWII-Medal

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CarlSgamboti_2014 

DignityMemorial.com Online Obituary and Guest Book
(PDF version)


Eulogy

Carmen T. (Carl) Sgamboti was born April 21, 1940 at New Britain, Connecticut -- surrounded and nurtured by "The Greatest Generation".  He graduated from New Britain High School, the University of Hartford and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  He was employed by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and United Technologies Research Center, retiring in 1998 with an enviable resumé.

Carl's long time affiliation with the 416th Bomb Group began in 2005 at the Group's annual reunion held that year in Nashville, Tennessee.

CarlSgamboti_2005


He and Maria, his soul mate of more than half a century, were immediately adopted by the veterans and their extended 416th family and became permanent fixtures at these events for the next decade.  The pinnacle of that mutual love affair was back-to-back reunions hosted by Carl and Maria at the New England Air Museum (NEAM) in Windsor Locks, CT in 2011 and 2012.  Carl became enraptured with 416th history and the players on that stage when NEAM had the good fortune to acquire, by chance, an A-26 attack bomber that was flown by the 416th during WWII.  Carl led the subsequent "Reida Rae" restoration effort as Restoration Crew Chief through very turbulent waters and built a team that excelled beyond all expectations.  Not only was his leadership a technical tour de force, and logistical marvel, it was an extraordinary display of fund-raising success and sound financial management in a very tough environment.  In addition to the self-satisfaction of his achievement, Carl was formally recognized by the surviving veterans with the unique distinction of Honorary Veteran status in the 416th.  At the same time, the New England Air Museum created a permanent indoor display of the "Reida Rae" as a special memorial to the Group and its veterans.

Reida Rae


As if the accomplishments of Carl Sgamboti were not enough for any single person, not to mention a volunteer, Carl rose to this plateau while fighting a ten-year battle with a form of leukemia that required several rounds of intensive treatment.  Where others might have accepted their fate with resignation, Carl refused to quit.  He worked on research projects for the 416th Bomb Group Archive, and for several families and international research project managers, literally to the end.  He truly did personify the term "last full measure of devotion" as much so in his own way as those of his adopted comrades who died on the field of battle.  The acclamation of Carl Sgamboti as an Honorary 416th Veteran has earned him a place on the Archive Wall of Honor alongside those he had come to cherish and recognize as his brothers.

Wayne G. Sayles,
Honorary Veteran, 416th Bombardment Group (L)


See also:
Carl Sgamboti memorial video slide show.
Produced for the October 5-8, 2016 416th BG Reunion by Wayne Sayles.

Carl's family granted permission to include Carls' New England Air Museum (NEAM) Douglas A-26C Invader "Reida Rae" Restoration Project web pages on the 416th.com website.


The 416th Bomb Group Archive acknowledges with sincere appreciation donations from the following that have been made to the Archive in memory of Carl Sgamboti.

- Chris and Mary Adams
- Marsha Brewer and Family
- Roland, Evelyn and Ron Dullnig
- Sonny and Carolyn Haisler
- Eileen Kerns
- Margaret McEvoy
- Rick and Chris Prucha
- Wayne and Doris Sayles
- Maria Sgamboti and family
- Tom and Carolyn Whitfield

The Sgamboti family has also suggested that donations in his memory may be made to the New England Air Museum.