Gabriel Shabo

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. - Matthew 22:37-39

In Loving Memory of Gabriel Shabo,

BOCA RATON; June 6, 2023 - It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Gabriel Shabo, who departed to his heavenly home on June 6, 2023. He was 71 years old.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Gabriel Shabo overcame countless challenges and adversities. Despite this hardship, he exhibited unwavering resilience and an indomitable faith instilled from his beloved parents, Lahdo Shabo and Warde Shabo (née Mirza), that would shape the rest of his life.

Gabriel possessed a heart overflowing with kindness and selflessness. He embraced every opportunity to help those in need, dedicating his life to making a positive impact on the lives of others. His empathy and compassion knew no bounds, and he constantly sought to alleviate the struggles of those around him. He was profoundly generous and self-sacrificing not only to his family but to everyone he met. He was a deacon of St. Stephen’s Syriac Orthodox Church in Miami and truly encompassed this role in every aspect of his life.

Gabriel immigrated to America to pursue his education. He graduated from New Jersey Institute of Technology in 1979 with a major in Mechanical Engineering, designing one of the first solar panels. He later specialized in Nuclear Engineering where he was a designer of nuclear energy infrastructure for Ebasco World Services working primarily out of New Orleans and New York City World Trade Center. He shifted his career focus to entrepreneurship as a successful business owner of several Shell Oil Company franchises in Montvale and New Milford, New Jersey. He moved with his family to Boca Raton, Florida in 1994 with franchises in Sunrise, Boca Raton, and Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Through his sheer determination and unwavering work ethic, he achieved remarkable accomplishments throughout his professional career, including being awarded Dealer of the Year.

Above all, Gabriel was a godly and devoted family man. He cherished his role as a loving husband and father with his beloved wife, Alice Shabo (née Eckel). Together, they built a home filled with warmth, love, and compassion. As a father, he was a constant source of guidance and support, instilling in his children values of integrity, altruism, leadership, and gratitude. He was a pillar of strength and a source of inspiration for his family, always ready to lend a helping hand and offer sage advice.

Tragically, in the latter years of his life, Gabriel endured 9 years battling metastatic cancer. He was a source of courage and inspiration to others at the Hope Lodge, Boston, Massachusetts as he handled his relentless disease with grace, optimism, and unrelenting faith in God. Despite a bleak prognosis, the fantastic doctors at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston extended his life by many years. This was a true testament to his strength. Later in life he developed Alzheimer’s disease which took away many of his memories and abilities but was not able to take away his friendliness and unwavering love for others. Despite the challenges he encountered, his spirit remained unyielding, and he faced his condition with grace and dignity. His family stood by him, offering unwavering support and care throughout his battle.

Gabriel will be remembered for his unwavering love, his tireless dedication, and his boundless generosity. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched and the lessons he imparted to all who had the privilege of knowing him. His departure leaves an immense void in the lives of his family and friends, but his memory will continue to serve as a beacon of strength and inspiration.

Gabriel is survived by his loving wife, Alice Shabo (née Eckel), beloved children, Sarah, David, Leah, and Gabriella, and son-in-law, William. He is also survived by his brother Michael, two sisters, Fahima and twin Mary, and many cherished nephews and nieces. We find solace in the knowledge that Gabriel is now reunited with his parents, his late brother Father Elias, and late sister Aliza, looking down upon us from heaven above.

Services to honor the remarkable life of Gabriel will be held at the Assyrian Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary, 644 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ. Viewing hours will be from 7:00-9:00 PM on Friday, June 16th and a funeral mass held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 17th. Interment will follow after services at George Washington Memorial Cemetery, 234 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Assyrian Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary, 644 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ and assigned to the school and orphanage, Taw Meem Simkat.

May Gabriel's soul find eternal peace, and may his memory forever be a blessing to us all. Rest in peace, knowing that your love and impact will forever resonate within our hearts.

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