Walter Andrew Gabriel

Walter Andrew Gabriel, age 82 of Jenison, MI and Pemaquid, ME died peacefully Friday January 17, 2025, with his family by his side. Born in Worcester, MA, he was the son of the late George W. Gabriel II and Phyllis MacDonald Gabriel. He leaves his wife of 63 years, Patricia Gabriel.

After an early start as a manager for the F.W. Woolworth Company, he began a lengthy career in food service sales. Despite his many years with the Gabriel Group, he never claimed to be anything more than a peddler.

Walt, a direct descendant of Mayflower passengers Henry Samson and the Richard Warren family, was a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendents. He was a proud 50-year member of the Joel H. Prouty Lodge A.F. and A.M. of Auburn, MA, and the Bristol Maine Lodge of Masons #74.

He leaves three children: Scott (Cheryl) Gabriel, Wendy (Steve) Chase, and Amy (Todd) VerWys. He is also survived by five beloved grandchildren: Katie (Colin) McKey, Ellie (Sasa) Nikolic, Erika Gabriel, Collin Marshall, and Weston Marshall; along with four great-grandchildren: Crew and Granger McKey and Elias and Liora Nikolic.

Walter leaves an enduring legacy as a mentor, friend, and colleague, particularly noted for his dry humor and dramatic pauses while storytelling. He was a quiet and gentle man who held a special place in the hearts of his grandchildren who adored him and will always benefit from his wisdom.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, January 27, 2025 at Cook Memorial Chapel, 4235 Prairie St. SW, Grandville, MI 49418, with visitation from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. There will be a family burial at Harrington Cemetery in Bristol, ME in the summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army (give.salvationarmyusa.org) or Corewell Health Hospice (https://give.corewellhealth.org/hospice-donation). The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.