Loni I. Gamble, 69, of Williamsport, PA passed away in the early evening on August 4, 2024.
Loni (affectionately known as Mickey, by immediate family) was born on May 30, 1955 in Philadelphia, PA, to the late John W. Gamble and Mary E. Gooding. After graduating from the Philadelphia school system, Loni went on to study Business at Wilberforce University, however, music was always his first love and little did he know the places music would take him in life.
Throughout the years, Loni was blessed to have fathered 4 children: Christopher WIlliams, Maurice Jordan, Barbara Dudley, and Kamisha Boyd-Gamble.
In 1999, Loni married his late wife Beatrice, lovingly known as “Bea” and they remained married until Bea’s passing in October 2022. Beatrice brought into the marriage two daughters, Kyla Ortiz and Tyrielle Ortiz.
Loni was taught how to play guitar by his best friend, mentor, band mate and brother, the late Gary Gamble. He was mesmerized by the music scene and eventually his lengthy music career would take off. Loni would go on to tour the world as the lead guitarist for the Grammy nominated singing group The Stylistics. Eventually, Loni got the opportunity to record his first solo album, “Could It Be Love”. His debut album was awarded two Canadian Dance Music Awards (1984) for Best Record and Top Male Vocalist of the year for the title track “Could It Be Love.” The song was loved deeply both in Canada and across Europe, making Top 40 Dance lists in seven countries. In 2016, he even performed the song to a sold-out crowd in Lyon, France to many adoring fans.
Loni had the opportunity to perform in many bands, “Serenity”, “Introopadors” and “Fresh Out the Box”, just to name a few. Eventually, Loni formed the band “Loni Gamble & Sound Cheque/ Sugar & Spice” which toured throughout the country singing Motown jams and bringing joy to everyone for many years. He performed with his wife, Beatrice, who was Sugar and many other friends who became family.
In July 2002 Loni founded the Kennedy King Youth Intervention and Development Project and Basketball League, a structured program that eventually became the Community Alliance for Positive Progressive Action (CAPPA). As Executive Director of CAPPA, Loni’s leadership provided scholastic mentorship, gang prevention tips and computer technology instruction to at-risk youth. CAPPA has touched so many lives in Williamsport throughout the past 20 years.
Loni later founded the Young Gentlemen aka YG’s Performing Arts and Life Skills Project. The Young Gentlemen Project is a program that provides meaningful and vital hands-on experiences and opportunities to young males, through music and the performing arts. The YG’s program is designed to motivate and inspire at-risk youth, who are not emotionally connected to traditional educational environments. Young girls were not forgotten. Loni also founded the Phenomenal Young Ladies project, building self-esteem for all children involved in the CAPPA program.
Loni will be remembered as a great family man and as someone who refused to give up on the youth. While our hearts mourn the loss, we take comfort in knowing the huge impact he had on people everywhere he went, as Loni was committed to improving his surroundings.
May his passion for music provide an everlasting song in our hearts and may his unyielding devotion to servicing the children in his community light a fire within all of us to do good in this world before we leave it.
Loni was preceded in death by his wife Beatrice Gamble, his parents John W. Gamble and Mary E. Gooding, and his brother Gary Gamble.
Loni leaves behind his children; Christopher Williams, Maurice Jordan, Barbara Dudley, Kamisha Boyd-Gamble, Kyla Ortiz, Tyrielle Ortiz,; grandson, Semaj Pettigrew; granddaughters, Bria Henderson, Amira Henderson, Kassi Dudley, Kyah Dudley, Amber Dudley, Sam’ielah Schell, Chloe Jordan; sisters, Paula Green, Gail Gamble and Ethel Gamble; brothers, Juan Gamble and Marc Gamble (Sharon), Reginald Macon, God-children Tiffany Porterfield, Reginald Oliver (Kiya), as well as many cousins, in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
The Celebration of Life Memorial service for Loni will be held Saturday September. 14, 2024 at 12 p.m. Location: City Church, 36 E. 4th St. Williamsport Pa. 17701.
The family will receive your condolences at 1723 Memorial Ave, Williamsport PA or via e-mail at kamishabg@gmail.com (Kamisha Boyd-Gamble) and kylaortiz@gmail.com. (Kyla Ortiz)
In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Loni’s legacy with a gift to: Beatrice “Momma B” Gamble Endowed Scholarship Fund at Lycoming College. (www.lycoming.edu/gamblescholarship).
To sign an online register book or share a memory, please visit http://www.crousefuneralhome.com.
