Ernest Anthony “Tony” Gardella III, 73, a Red Bank and former longtime Little Silver resident, passed away May 16, 2025, at Riverview Medical Center. Tony was born in Long Branch to the late Ernest A. Gardella Jr. and Mary Ann Giunco and was raised in Rumson.
Tony earned his bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University and then went on to obtain his Master of Education from St. Peter’s in Jersey City. He spent 32 years as an educator in Ocean Township School District before retirement in 2006.
Tony was a devout Catholic and was a communicant of Holy Cross Church in Rumson. He will be remembered for his devotion to his faith and his family and friends.
Tony is survived by his sisters, Jeanne (Horace) Smith of Little Silver and Theresa (Steve) Ellis of Green Valley, Arizona. He was the proud uncle of Jennifer Donaldson (Kirk) of Fair Haven and Todd Smith of Encinitas, California, and great-nieces and nephews, Kirk and Ellery Donaldson and Harper and Juliette Smith. Tony also leaves many close cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 27 at Holy Cross Church in Rumson. Interment was private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Tony’s memory may be made to San Alfonso Retreat House, 755 Ocean Ave., Long Branch, NJ.
Memories and condolences may be shared at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the May 29 – June 4, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
