John Francis Gabriel
November 15, 1938 - October 11, 2021
Costa Mesa California
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John Francis Gabriel
November 15, 1938 - October 11, 2021
Costa Mesa California
Obituary
John Francis Gabriel
John was a first generation Northern Italian American born November 15, 1938 in the Bronx to Selma Rossetti and Willie Gabriel. They lived in his grandfather’s home with 2 other families. None of the adults had attended high school. Some couldn’t speak English. Until he was 25 he slept on a cot in the dining room. He skipped 2 grades and fell in love with public speaking winning his first NY state championship when he was 12. He graduated from Fordham Prep, College and Law school in 1962. He joined the Army Reserves, passed the NY Bar and went to work for the Federal Trade Commission. When the chance arose he ‘offered, to move to CA and help open the LA office.
Like dream come true he landed in Malibu living among movie stars. In 1968 he married Susan Duffield and passed the CA Bar. Goodbye NY and the FTC,
hello Harvey Aluminum, Cal Comp and Hunt Wesson, each of which moved East. Finally he found a professional home with the soft drink industry. First as General Council for Coke of Los Angeles and then as President of the Pepsi Cola Bottler’s Association. He attended the100th Celebrations for each and many major sporting events following their sponsorships including World Series, Rose Bowls, Ryder Cups, and Olympics in LA, Barcelona Sydney and Italy.
Meanwhile he and Susan raised their children Donna, Bill and Carrie. He treasured their long talks weighing their life choices. He was very proud to be their father and focused on providing for his family.
Retirement in 2006 refocused his energy from having to provide for family to discovering and following his passions and being a doting grandfather and husband. Susan got her ranch and horses and trips to Brazil, South Africa, Peru, Equador Chile and Southeast Asia. Each year he organized at least one golfing adventure domestic or foreign for his myriad golfing buddies. He also decided to leave this world better than he found it. First he became certified as an Court Appointed Special Advocate(CASA) for 3 wonderful young men. Then while recruiting for more CASAs he joined the Knights of Columbus and using his speaking talents started money raising for the Intellectually Disabled. He got certified as a Mediator and volunteered 2 days each week for Superior (family) Court. His final project was set up a mediation process for his parish.
He is survived by his wife Susan, daughter Donna (Don), Casey, Rachael, Emma, Elisabeth, Mary, Joshua and Eve Kemlage, son Bill Gabriel and daughter Carrie (Jon) Kai and Kira Reynolds. Only Italian children have special sibling like bonds with their cousins: Giovani, Paula, Joyce, Michael, John, Dennis, Daren and Hank.
Died October 11, 2021 at Hoag Hospital
The family would like to invite all those who wish to attend services at Our Lady Queen of Angels on Thursday, November 11th. The service information is shown below. Following the funeral service will be a Celebration of Life at Santa Ana Country Club.
For those who wish to view the Live Stream of the service at the time listed below, please use this link:
In lieu of flowers, please share all of your favorite memories of John on the Memory Timeline and consider donating to CASA in memory of John.
Visitation
- Date & Time: November 11, 2021 (10:30 AM - 11:00 AM)
- Venue: Our Lady Queen Of Angels Catholic Church
- Location: 2046 Mar Vista Dr Newport Beach, CA 92660 - (Get Directions)
Funeral Mass
- Date & Time: November 11, 2021 (11:00 AM)
- Venue: Our Lady Queen Of Angels Catholic Church
- Location: 2046 Mar Vista Dr Newport Beach, CA 92660 - (Get Directions)
47 responses to John Francis Gabriel
Bill Groux says:
November 9, 2021
Bill Groux
Bill Groux says:
November 9, 2021
John was an important person in my life. He was a friend, mentor, golf pal and, once in a great while, a worthy adversary. I met John in 1987 and we initially bonded because my father was, like John, a proud Fordham grad. Over the years that bond was strengthened by our mutual interest in golf, travel, books, politics and people.
Many years ago, John secretly hired a Scottish bagpiper to play Amazing Grace at dusk on the 18th green at Loch Lomond in Scotland to honor my father – who had passed away the year before. There were 24 guys on that trip and I remember each of them telling stories about their respective fathers. It was an incredibly thoughtful and generous gesture by John, and one for which I’ll always be profoundly grateful.
John mentored me through my career in the beverage business and enthusiastically championed my return to college. He included me on many of his wonderful golf trips and always made it a point to inquire about my family and my perspective.
John was interested. He was a good listener. He was a champion of mine. He was curious, uninhibited and thoughtful. He was honest and loyal. Knowing John made me a better person.
I miss him. I was lucky to have had him as a friend.
Bob and Francy Heffernan says:
November 9, 2021
Bob Heffernan
John was man for all seasons. I will miss his calm and reasoned probing of life’s great questions as well as his genuine interest in the plans and goals of his family. For John, “family” was a big tent with room for a night or a month.
My children have been blessed by Susan and John’s care and hospitality for these many years. I will miss him.
Kerry Smith says:
November 9, 2021
John was a good man and did a lot of great things for other people. One would never know it. He didn’t seem to spend a lot of time talking about those good deeds. In our conversations, he was always more interested in my son’s adventures. After reading some of these memories, I realized that he touched a lot of people and was a great example of how to live a life of service.
Frank Robitaille says:
November 10, 2021