William J. Gabriel

YORK-William Joseph Gabriel Sr., 91, passed away July 4, 2023 at his residence. This is fitting as he was a veteran and a patriot. He was the husband of Frances E. (Noga) Gabriel, to whom he was married for 72 years.

Born July 11, 1931 in Johnstown, PA, he was a son of Elizabeth Sweeny and Joseph Gabriel. As a child he loved adventure and the woods. Adventure led him to lie about his age and join the Army at 16. He was in Special Forces 1st Division Army Rangers.

With honor he was discharged from the military and returned to Johnstown and the love of his life, Frances Emily Noga. The two were married on January 13, 1951.

“Billy,” as his family called him as a child, began his professional career as a steel worker in Johnstown but was still drawn to adventure and the woods. To achieve his goals, he completed GED requirements for high school and graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelors Degree in Forest Engineering. He began a somewhat nomadic life with Frances and now family of four.

He had a distinguished career as a professional forester for over 40 years, for a number of international timber harvesting companies that took him around to the world many times. Enroute home, he would often meet Frances in Rome, a place they both loved. They embraced and would later invite their children and grandchildren to join them there, sharing in the culture and unique experience. Bravissimo!

William is survived by his wife Frances; eldest child Cynthia and husband John Schell, son William J. Jr. (Bucky) and wife Nancy Jenner-Gabriel; 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; friends and relatives.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Heffner Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., York, will be assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorial contributions can be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation located at 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306, St. Jude Children’s Hospital located at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 and Autism Society located at 6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 305, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

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