Mr. Gilbert,

In a couple days it will be a year since you passed on but your memory has and will always be a part of so many lives you have touched. 
I will be at the cemetery Friday morning to say hi once again to you and Nan wearing your purple sweatshirt and driving cap which I hold dear to my heart. 
I reflect on our many conversations and pray to be a great man like yourself.  
When my day on this beautiful planet is up I pray I’ll see you again. 
Until that day I’ll do the jokes.. 
Love, 
Ryan #1

Mr. Camacho was an amazing man.
  He was my Science teacher in 1979, but he was more than that.
He was a human being and treated you as a fellow human being. 
  You could talk to Mr. Camacho and go to him with anything.
The thing I remembered most was the very first day of class,
He told us all that it didn't matter what we did in life,  just be the best at it whatever it was.  These words have been with me since that day and I have tried to be my best every day, including trying to be a good human being!   Thank you for the valuable lessons Mr. Camacho.     You will forever have a special place in my heart!

Mr. Camacho was one of my all time favorite teachers. He knew how to inspire people and did so with many at Clarkstown South. Late in my freshman year he sang the song the "Impossible Dream" at the end of one class and told us never to forget to plan but to more importantly dream so you could make them a reality. It was one of the most inspiring moments I ever recall from my time at South. I kept up with him on and off throughout the years and had the pleasure of speaking with him shortly after I was elected Town Supervisor. He was just as inspiring at that time talking to me to make sure I had not only plans but not to forget to dream big dreams--it was just like back in high school. He had a wonderful gleam in his eye and a quick story I will always remember him fondly. He will be missed but his legacy and memory will carry on in the hearts of many.

The first teacher I had who was a personality in his own right - more like a college professor. What a joy.

I am surprised no-one has mentioned the blankets! Mr. Camacho was famous for collecting blankets for homeless people. Such a nice man.

Part 4 -
"Camach," I love you and I am forever grateful that our paths crossed in 1974 and over the years.  I consider myself, and anyone who was lucky enough to have known you and appreciate you, as truly blessed for the experience. I now say back to you, as you wrote the closing in my yearbook- GBY- God Bless You - although I know he already has.  

Barbara Hess

Part 2
A very memorable class was the discussion of mixtures.  Hard to believe- right?   Mr. Camacho said that the process of baking a cake involved mixtures.  He then asked us to list the items required to bake a cake.  The first item one of my classmates said was "cake mix" - Mr. Camacho bent down and put the cake mix on top of the lectern.   Another student offered- "a mixer," and out came the mixer which he again, placed on the lectern,  another student said- "a mixing bowl" and again, he bent down and placed a mixing bowl on the lectern and he did the same for water and butter.  When someone ( I believe her first name was Karen) said "an egg," he bent down and stood back up- put his hand by his ear, as if he did not hear it in the first place,  and then Karen said, "an egg."  The next thing Mr. Camacho did was open his mouth- and out came an egg!!  We all could not stop laughing.  Learning was so much fun!  It is a story that I will always continue to tell.  Biology class with Camach was the highlight of my day and of my educational career.  Along with Doc Amster and Ray Roswell rounding out my favorite trio.   

On one Halloween in particular, he dressed up as a clown and was unrecognizable.  He was also carrying a tennis racket.  Apparently he was taking some forehand shots to some of the senior football players.  They did not like it and eventually they cornered him.  He then had to reveal who he was.  He had such fun! 
See Part 3   


Part 1 -From Barbara Hess former student of the wonderful Gil Camacho:  
I had the greatest of fortunes and luck to have Mr. Camacho aka "Camach" for 9th grade biology during the 1974-1975 school year.  
On our first day of class, we were assigned seats- and were seated not in the usual way going across the front row and back, but rather starting down one row and then from the back up the next.  That way the student whose name ended in W,X, Y or Z - instead of sitting in the back row of every class ( in our case Steve Zendell) sat towards the front - along with Billy Way.  I was at the front lab table closest to the door, but on the inside seat- very close to the lectern. After we were seated, one by one, up and down each row, Mr. Camacho extended his hand and shook each of our hands and said to each student - by name- Very nice to meet you "Miss Hess, Mr. Ramundo.." et al.  One of my classmates was Jim Croce and for those of you that may not know- Jim Croce was a very well known singer at that time.  Mr. Camacho then asked him, "Are you the Jim Croce or the Jim Croce, to which Jim replied, "The Jim Croce," at which we all chuckled and Mr. Camacho smiled broadly.  After the introductions, he then told us that he expects us to "try your best each day, but more importantly, I want you to grow as people, and become better people." Amazing! I loved him from that moment on.  For me, this was a special person, like a caring father, that you did not want to disappoint- not only because he wanted you to try your best, but because you knew he cared about you and respected you.  
Please continue to Part 2
 

It was my pleasure to have had to opportunity to get to know Gill during his time at the Hertz Corporation, where we both worked. He was one of the most genuine and caring individual I had the fortune to know. 

Rest well my friend and go with God.

Sincerely, 

Steve Wilcox

It says a lot about someone when, over three decades later, you can still see their smile and recall their warm spirit. Mr. Camacho was a beloved teacher and a positive presence at Clarkstown South. May God rest his kind soul.

Mr. Camacho made  an immediate and Lasting Impression on me as a young Man.  His sincerity and heartfelt concern for all of his students made him an exceptional teacher and mentor. I know he made his mark  me and many others in a tremendously positive way I hope to pass some of his positive energy and spirit along to someone else thank you Mr. Camacho

Looking at all the wonderful pictures shared by his family, brings memories of a favorite teacher, mentor and friend to so many of his colleagues and students, like myself. 
 Mr. Camacho  will always easily be remembered as a kind and compassionate sole who was loved by all .. and he radiated that love on all those who crossed his path. 
I can still remember his shining smile and the caring look in his eyes !!
It brings comfort to see that he lived a happy, fulfilled life in his later years.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family <3 <3 <3

Respect, Respect, Respect. Gil was my Teacher, Coach, and Leader.  His moral integrity  and demand for respect from you, and for you helped make me who I am today.  Life lessons and  memories I have carried with me throughout my life.  He was a rare gem that touched so many lives , and all of us that were fortunate enough to share in his world have been blessed.

Rest in peace Mr. Camacho, you are with us always.

It was indeed a pleasure to know Gil Camacho as a fellow faculty member at Clarkstown South, and to observe his positive influence on students beyond the classroom and his involvement in our Clarkstown community.

Gil was my next door neighbor at Avalon Gardens. I loved speaking with him and he always put a smile on my face. When he told me he was moving, I told him how much I would miss him and our conversations. He remembered my children who had attended Clarkstown South and he always spoke about Peg. 
My sincere condolences for your loss. He will be missed by many I’m sure. 

Our  daughter, Stephanie, was a student in Mr. Camacho's science  class at Clarkstown South High School.  She told us that he had these initials printed on the blackboard:  ICAY...CAEO..DNBA.  Gil told his students the initials meant:  I CARE ABOUT YOU...CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER...DO NOT BE AFRAID.  Our daughter, now a middle school teacher, has used Gil's initials and message with her own classes.  Gil was also a mentor to some students in need. He was a beloved and holy man.

Lou Perutti

My brother-in-law Gilbert will be greatly missed. He was a great man and always supportive. I'll never forget how he was there for my daughter (Winona - his niece) and I when my husband (his brother William) was terminally ill and eventually passed away. Those times will always be cherished as he was definitely one of a kind! 

Mr Camacho as students knew him was a great teacher. He went caroling with my siblings one year so I got to know him before HS. So he already knew who I was when I got to HS. Never had him as a teacher but had him for Homeroom. I would go out to breakfast before school and was usually late for Homeroom. I’d walk in at anytime and he’d mark me in. A few times he already gave the attendance card to a student to walk to the office. He’d see me and say “run get the card I’ll mark you in.” I heard other Homeroom teachers would mark you absent if you were a minute late. I’ll never forget him.

Mr. Camacho was so loved by my Class of ‘76 at CHSS. He was a kind, compassionate teacher and friend with enough authority to make you listen and respect him. RIP...

My condolences to the Camacho Family. Thanks for your guidance Mr. Camacho and may you now Rest In Peace.

I have had the Honor and Privilege to call Gil Camacho,  Teacher, Coach and most importantly dear Friend for close to 45 years. His love for his family was unmatched as was his love for people in general. I know my life was enriched by having him in it... truly a great man.

My condolences to the family. May "Gilberto" Rest in Peace. He will live on in each one of us and be sorely missed.

Fly high my friend,

Darryl (Scotty) Popkave




Gil was a great colleague and friend to all.  When we spoke, you knew he was listening and cared about you.  He was definitely a "class act" and a true " mench".   It was easy to love Gil, because you knew he loved you.

We will remember Gil as a warm and considerate gentleman. Always asked about our family. He was a dedicated teacher, coach and respected colleague at Clarkstown South where we all worked. It was an honor and privilege to have known him. Condolences to his family. May he Rest In Peace. 

Gil was my coach in Sandlot League back around 1964. He saw potential in me, and his encouragement helped build my self-confidence. His calm leadership kept us focused on the game, had us working as a team, and helped each of us grow.
He was a fantastic role model for all of us boys.

As a friend and colleague Gil was a most caring and devoted human, with sincere love for all.  It was one of life’s great rewards to have known him, and while his spirit will live in in all those who knew him, there is still an empty and hollow heart here.

OBITUARY

Gilbert R Camacho

May 22, 1932 – January 28, 2021

Lee Funeral Home

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