This memorial website was created to remember our dearest George G. Gabriel who was born in Chicago on January 21, 1935 and passed away on April 25, 2008. He will live forever in our memories and hearts.
George G. Gabriel, 73, of Peoria, formerly of Chicago, passed away at 7:55 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2008, in Los Angeles, CA.
Born in Chicago on January 21, 1935, George was the youngest son of Gus and Mary (Danos) Gabriel. His father preceded him in death in February of 1988; his mother on December 4, 1994 along with one brother, Taki Gabriel. Within the last 18 months, George was preceded in death by his uncle and aunt, Mr. & Mrs. Nick (Danos) Tsilibis, of Argos, Greece and their son George. And most recently, 9 months ago, he lost his beloved, favorite aunt Fotoula (Danos) Krakos of Peoria, IL, who passed away at age 93.
George is survived by his oldest brother, Spiro (Mary) Gabriel of Chicago. Also surviving are his one remaining aunt, Anastasia (Danos) Zaharopoulos and numerous cousins, all from Argos, Greece. Cousins Gus (Diane) Chagares of Mount Prospect, IL and their children, as well as Ms. Becky Chagares of Chicago and Ms. Kiki Chagares of Los Angeles survive as well.
He also left behind his loving “special” cousin of Peoria, (Mary) Maria Andrew Krakos Thompson and her husband Rick (Demetri) Thompson. He will be sorely missed by all of his family and friends.
He started his career as a business teacher from September of 1957 through June of 1960 at Von Steuben High School in Chicago. In 1956, George earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Business from DePaul University in Chicago. He was also a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with a Master of Science in Education and Social Policy in 1958. Short of a doctorate, he further extended his education with additional hours at Northwestern University in Evanston. In September of 1960, he earned his tenure as a business teacher and then, until his retirement in 1988 as a counselor at Mather High School in Chicago. He briefly taught in California.
George loved traveling to Europe (especially visiting his family in his homeland of Argos, Greece). Tennis and cars were his passion and he loved the classic movies of the 30’s and 40’s, especially including musicals.
Originally, George was a steward of St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, where as a young man, he was an altar boy. He also became a member of the church choir. George was also a member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, IL and St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles.
George descended from a long line of Greek Orthodox priests, beginning with his great, great, great grandfather, The Reverend Father George Papastamatopoulos, who was his namesake as well as his grandfather, George Danos.
Services will be celebrated at noon on Thursday, May 22, 2008, at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, at 1017 N. LaSalle Drive. The Reverend Nicholas Nikokavouras will celebrate the liturgy.
Reverend Father Habib Ghantous will officiate the final burial services at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church on Saturday, May 24, 2008, at 10 a.m. in Peoria. Entombment will follow at Swan Lake Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Peoria. Serving as Honored Pall Bearers will be the Firefighters from the City of Peoria, lead by Captain Otis Leach.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis Archdiocese of Chicago, 40 E. Burton Place, Chicago, IL 60610 or St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church in Peoria.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home in Peoria.
“May his memory be eternal.”
