Gambino Realtors Celebrates 100 Years: Saluting Our Founder, Frank M. Gambino

Gambino Realtors has been a family-owned and operated business for 100 years!

Frank Gambino opened the F.M. Gambino Agency in January 1923 at 107 N. Main Street in Rockford. Frank had worked with Sundberg Electrical Company before embarking on his real estate career, which grew along with his young family.

Although he was not born in Rockford, the Rockford area community was his hometown! Shortly after his birth, Frank's family moved to Rockford from Italy. He graduated from Rockford High School.

The Rockford Daily Register Gazette cited, "Mr. Gambino is prominent in the Italian circles of the city." He served as Vice-President of the Italian American Citizen's Club, was Secretary of the Vincent DePaul Society, and was President of the National Athletic Club. Frank Gambino was active in St. Anthony's Catholic Church, singing bass in the choir during Mass. Later in life, he became a strong figure in Rockford politics.

Frank married his love, Marie, just a year after starting his agency. They had three children - Mary, Paul and Joe. The family established themselves in the Rockford community and made their home in a predominantly Italian neighborhood in South Rockford.

Family was at the forefront in the creation and development of the F.M. Gambino Agency. Frank's brothers Angelo and Carl also worked with him. Once his sons Paul and Joe completed college, they joined the agency.

Frank Gambino was in the real estate business for 46 years when he passed away in 1968. He was a visionary and the first developer of tract-type housing in Rockford, beginning with Montague Heights.

Gambino Realtors is now a third-generation family-owned company!