George J. Gabriel, Died Oct. 30, 2017

George J. Gabriel

Died October 30, 2017

NORTHPORT – George John Gabriel, 78, of Northport, after a courageous battle with cancer, passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 30, 2017 at home surrounded by his loving family.

George was born on Feb. 25, 1939 in Chicago, the son of George and Catherine (Bergfeld) Gabriel.  On May 5, 1973 also in Chicago, he married Cherie McDonough, who survives.  George grew up in Cicero, Ill. and lived in Berwyn, Ill., where he served as a firefighter and EMT. After he retired they moved to beautiful Leelanau County, Michigan where George built their home by hand.  As a great lover of nature, he planted and cared for over 3000 trees on their 16 acres, and enjoyed watching all the wildlife play in his woods.

George was loving, kind, devoted, strong and loyal with a passion for reading, writing and science.  He will always be loved and remembered by his wife and daughter as the best husband and father in the whole Multiverse.  Everyone that knew George will always remember his full and infectious laugh.  He will be missed tremendously by all the members of the McDonough family in whose household the holiday celebrations flourished with great love, joy and happiness for so many years.  George was an extra in several movies and TV shows.  He was especially proud of playing one of three ‘old-timers’ along with Bryan Crough and Dave Fortin in “Hideaway” which was filmed in Traverse City, Mi.

In addition to his wife of 44 years, George is survived by his daughter, Jean (Ben Kazirskis) Lacy; special cousin, Maxine Dixon; and his beloved dog, Coco Bean.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Gabriel.

A Celebration of George’s Life will be held on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Tucker’s of Northport.

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