Edward Shia Gabriel, Sr.

Easton - Edward Shia Gabriel Sr., 95, passed away just 13 days from his 96th birthday on Saturday morning August 24, 2024, in the farm home he built in Easton, NY - “the most beautiful place on earth”. He has achieved his last wish, to be with his beloved spouse Irene David Gabriel who passed in 2013. He was predeceased by parents Constantine & Bahija Gabriel, sisters Helen, Eleanor and Grace, his daughter Pamela Gabriel, her twin Mark Gabriel and great-grandson Wesley Peacock. He died firm in the Christian faith, anticipating a joyous reunion with them and many other relatives.

He is survived by four loving children Edward & Liesa Gabriel, Cynthia Gabriel (the angel who cared for Irene and Ed in their declining years), Karen & Ben Lomeli and Aaron & Tara Gabriel, and his loving daughter-in-law Robyn Gabriel, along with eleven grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

Ed was born in 1928 in New Haven, Connecticut, the year before the Great Depression, the son of Lebanese immigrants. He had vivid recollections of spending a year in Lebanon at age three to visit his grandparents. In New Haven he loved living close to relatives and tried all his life to keep in touch with as many of them as possible – and there were many! He shined shoes for a nickel. He had a passion for motorcycles and old cars - “they were so distinctive back then” - and became an expert mechanic and jack-of-all trades. He served in the US Army, witnessing the devastation of post WWII Japan and taught his children “eat all the food on your plate – there are children starving in the world”. He used the GI bill to obtain an accounting certificate from Junior College of Commerce, now Quinnipiac University, and worked for Columbia Records (met some stars), a CPA firm and various manufacturers, but he loved working with his hands. He spent some time in residential construction, however, his heart always yearned for a simple(?) life of farming. His dairy farm in Easton was his third and most lasting endeavor, becoming a haven for family, friends and strangers due to his and Irene’s Middle East hospitality and her fabulous cooking.

Early in their marriage, Ed and Irene were baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and were instrumental in the growth of the church in southern Connecticut. Ed served in many callings including bishop to congregations in Foxboro, MA, Greenwich, NY and Saratoga, NY. Ed and Irene served a mission to Greenville, NY and later to Ireland. They were on their way to serve a second mission in McAllen, TX when Irene suffered a debilitating stroke. He always said that the gospel of Jesus Christ was the answer to the world’s problems. He lived his testimony, treating all as a brother or sister.

Ed was the salt of the earth. His engaging character, simple charm, recollections, stories, jokes, songs and wisdom will be sorely missed by his immediate and extended family, as well as friends scattered far and wide.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 31st, 2024 at 10:00 am with a funeral service at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 111 Academy Street, Greenwich, NY 12834.  Interment will be at the Greenwich Cemetery, County Road 52, Greenwich, NY 12834 following the service at 12:00 pm.  Everyone is invited to attend a reception luncheon at the church at 1:00pm following the interment.    

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Aid, Philanthropies, 1450 N. University Ave., Provo, UT 84604 , https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services; or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, https://www.stjude.org/donate; or our local Southern Adirondack Health Initiative group (contact Cindy Gabriel, Treasurer) PO Box 100, Shushan, NY 12873, or to a specific group of your choice for humanitarian aid.

To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.gariepyfuneralhomes.com

The McClellan-Gariepy Funeral Home, Inc. in Salem, NY are entrusted to the care of arrangements.

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