Gabriel M. Freshwater, August 28, 1935 - August 26, 2011, brother, father, grandfather, forty-two-year resident of Rockland County. After a heart attack and subsequent fall, Gabe bravely remained in a coma for eight days until he passed away at Westchester Medical Center.
Gabe was born and raised in The Bronx, NY. He met and married Elsie Schenker and went on to raise three children in Brooklyn, NY and then Monsey, NY. After working in the newspaper distribution business, Gabe went on to be a NYC bus operator for MABSTOA.
Gabe was deeply committed and extensively involved in many tri-state area organizations. He was a longtime philanthropic member and held countless leadership posts with the Knights of Pythias, Sholom Society, Transit Workers Union Local 100, Retired Public Employees Association, Council of Jewish Organizations in Civil Service, and was a Patron Member of the Jewish War Veterans Post 425.
Above all, Gabe found peace in prayer, so it was a rare Saturday that Gabe wasn't seen at many Rockland County synagogues including Sons of Israel, Chabad Suffern, Chabad Chestnut Ridge, and Congregation Shaarei Israel. In fact, every vacation also included a visit to a local synagogue.
He was happiest when he was able to spend time with his three granddaughters: Jessica, Rachel, and Sarah. Gabe is also survived by his sister Elissa, two daughters, a son, Jay, and countless friends - in the US and all the way to Ireland - who relied on him for support, transportation, and an enjoyable meal at one of his many favorite restaurants in the area. If Gabe ever decided to write a book, it would have been called "Mr. Gabe's Guide to NY Area Diners…Go Greek or Go Home".
Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 29, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Street, Spring Valley, NY.
Burial will follow at Beth David Cemetery, 300 Elmont Road, Elmont, NY.
Published in The Journal News on August 29, 2011.
Gabe was born and raised in The Bronx, NY. He met and married Elsie Schenker and went on to raise three children in Brooklyn, NY and then Monsey, NY. After working in the newspaper distribution business, Gabe went on to be a NYC bus operator for MABSTOA.
Gabe was deeply committed and extensively involved in many tri-state area organizations. He was a longtime philanthropic member and held countless leadership posts with the Knights of Pythias, Sholom Society, Transit Workers Union Local 100, Retired Public Employees Association, Council of Jewish Organizations in Civil Service, and was a Patron Member of the Jewish War Veterans Post 425.
Above all, Gabe found peace in prayer, so it was a rare Saturday that Gabe wasn't seen at many Rockland County synagogues including Sons of Israel, Chabad Suffern, Chabad Chestnut Ridge, and Congregation Shaarei Israel. In fact, every vacation also included a visit to a local synagogue.
He was happiest when he was able to spend time with his three granddaughters: Jessica, Rachel, and Sarah. Gabe is also survived by his sister Elissa, two daughters, a son, Jay, and countless friends - in the US and all the way to Ireland - who relied on him for support, transportation, and an enjoyable meal at one of his many favorite restaurants in the area. If Gabe ever decided to write a book, it would have been called "Mr. Gabe's Guide to NY Area Diners…Go Greek or Go Home".
Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 29, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Street, Spring Valley, NY.
Burial will follow at Beth David Cemetery, 300 Elmont Road, Elmont, NY.
Published in The Journal News on August 29, 2011.
Gabriel M. Freshwater, August 28, 1935 - August 26, 2011, brother, father, grandfather, forty-two-year resident of Rockland County. After a heart attack and subsequent fall, Gabe bravely remained in a coma for eight days until he passed away at Westchester Medical Center.
Gabe was born and raised in The Bronx, NY. He met and married Elsie Schenker and went on to raise three children in Brooklyn, NY and then Monsey, NY. After working in the newspaper distribution business, Gabe went on to be a NYC bus operator for MABSTOA.
Gabe was deeply committed and extensively involved in many tri-state area organizations. He was a longtime philanthropic member and held countless leadership posts with the Knights of Pythias, Sholom Society, Transit Workers Union Local 100, Retired Public Employees Association, Council of Jewish Organizations in Civil Service, and was a Patron Member of the Jewish War Veterans Post 425.
Above all, Gabe found peace in prayer, so it was a rare Saturday that Gabe wasn't seen at many Rockland County synagogues including Sons of Israel, Chabad Suffern, Chabad Chestnut Ridge, and Congregation Shaarei Israel. In fact, every vacation also included a visit to a local synagogue.
He was happiest when he was able to spend time with his three granddaughters: Jessica, Rachel, and Sarah. Gabe is also survived by his sister Elissa, two daughters, a son, Jay, and countless friends - in the US and all the way to Ireland - who relied on him for support, transportation, and an enjoyable meal at one of his many favorite restaurants in the area. If Gabe ever decided to write a book, it would have been called "Mr. Gabe's Guide to NY Area Diners…Go Greek or Go Home".
Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 29, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Street, Spring Valley, NY.
Burial will follow at Beth David Cemetery, 300 Elmont Road, Elmont, NY.
Published in The Journal News on August 29, 2011.
Gabe was born and raised in The Bronx, NY. He met and married Elsie Schenker and went on to raise three children in Brooklyn, NY and then Monsey, NY. After working in the newspaper distribution business, Gabe went on to be a NYC bus operator for MABSTOA.
Gabe was deeply committed and extensively involved in many tri-state area organizations. He was a longtime philanthropic member and held countless leadership posts with the Knights of Pythias, Sholom Society, Transit Workers Union Local 100, Retired Public Employees Association, Council of Jewish Organizations in Civil Service, and was a Patron Member of the Jewish War Veterans Post 425.
Above all, Gabe found peace in prayer, so it was a rare Saturday that Gabe wasn't seen at many Rockland County synagogues including Sons of Israel, Chabad Suffern, Chabad Chestnut Ridge, and Congregation Shaarei Israel. In fact, every vacation also included a visit to a local synagogue.
He was happiest when he was able to spend time with his three granddaughters: Jessica, Rachel, and Sarah. Gabe is also survived by his sister Elissa, two daughters, a son, Jay, and countless friends - in the US and all the way to Ireland - who relied on him for support, transportation, and an enjoyable meal at one of his many favorite restaurants in the area. If Gabe ever decided to write a book, it would have been called "Mr. Gabe's Guide to NY Area Diners…Go Greek or Go Home".
Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 29, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Street, Spring Valley, NY.
Burial will follow at Beth David Cemetery, 300 Elmont Road, Elmont, NY.
Published in The Journal News on August 29, 2011.
Inscription
Hebrew Name: "GAVRI'EL, son of YEHOSHUA"
