EUGENE FRANCIS GABRIEL obituary

Eugene (Gene) Francis Gabriel, 84, was summoned by the Lord on March 4, 2010, at his Havre, Mont. Home due to of natural causes. Cremation has taken place, and Gene will be interred at the veterans section of Highland Cemetery in Havre, Mont., with military honors at a later date. The family requests that in lieu of flowers or gifts donations be sent to the Havre Senior Citizens Center or the Havre Public Schools Foundation, c/o Pam Hillery, in Gene's name. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Gene was born to John and Constance Gabriel in Graceville, Minn., on May 22, 1925. He attended schools in Minnesota and North Dakota. In February 1943, Gene entered the U.S. Navy. He proudly served on the U.S.S. Benson in the European and Pacific theaters during World War II. The Benson was at Tokyo Bay where the crew witnessed the Japanese surrender on the U.S.S. Missouri, Sept. 5, 1945. The Benson received four battle stars during her service. Discharged in January 1946, he served in the Korean War aboard the U.S.S. Jupiter. After his honorable discharge in April 1952, Gene worked in Great Falls, Mont. He wed the love of his life, Gracia Brownrigg, in December 1952, and together started a family. In 1963, the Gabriel family moved to Havre, Mont., where Gene operated several endeavors under one roof. He was a gifted and talented technician who will serve heaven well. Gene was an accomplished private pilot, enjoyed charcoal sketching and was a wonderful tenor. He was immensely proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He understood the stars in the heavens and shared his knowledge with the awestruck children. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Peggy Jackson; and his brothers, Harold, Raymond, J.P. and Robert. Gene is survived by his devoted wife, Gracia Gabriel of Havre, Mont.; his sister, Elenore Schultz of Burbank, Calif.; his daughters, Patricia (Charlie) Turner of Jeffersonton, Va., and Carol (Paul) Candleana of Damascus, Md.; his sons, Ronald (Faye) Gabriel of Missoula, Mont., Gale (Nan) Gabriel and James Gabriel, all of Havre, Mont.; his grandchildren, Tiffany (Erin), Nicole (Brandon), Jared, Tim, Philip, Emily, and P.J.; his great-grandchildren, Cierra, Kenny and Trynyty; and several nieces, nephews and many good friends. The House of Seven Gabriel's will miss you!