NORMAN ALEXANDER GAMBLE

NORMAN ALEXANDER GAMBLE
California’s oldest Public Accountant
1918 – 2011

Norman (Norm) Gamble, California’s oldest practicing Public Accountant, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 29th.

He opened his practice in Newport Beach in 1943 and continued it unabated until he died last week following a brief illness. Norm was part of the cadre of industrious individuals who arrived in Newport seventy years ago to build the foundation upon which Newport’s successful growth would follow. Norm’s accounting practice included the many business arenas in the halcyon years of Newport’s emergence as a southern California power house; however, the specialty of his practice was restaurants. With that focus he was instrumental in the formation and continuing operation of a variety of successful regional restaurant chains that had their roots in Newport. Some of those included Chart House, The Rusty Pelican, Jolly Roger, Coco’s (Far West Services’ Snack Shops, Reuben’s, Reuben E. Lee), as well as many local quality restaurants such as Quiet Woman.

During his many years of local involvement he was instrumental in the promotion of various community activities. One that he was particularly fond of was the creation and operation of the annual Christmas tree float being towed around Newport Harbor during December. That experience in the “old” days was a far cry from the light spectacular we know as the Christmas parade today. He also continued his years of active participation in one of Newport’s classic men’s organizations; Amigos Viejos. It was that group of men who chartered and pushed forward some of the truly creative actions in Newport’s historic transformation from a somewhat sleepy beach/fishing town to its position today atop Orange County.

Norm is survived by his wife Marjorie (Midge), three children: Tom, Nancy, and John. He also has four grandsons: Liam, Cullen, Matt, and Geoff. A private family service is planned.