Gabriel Luis Martinez

He was born August 18, 1957 in Brooklyn, NY; he was the son of the late Gabriel and Josephine (Ramos) Martinez and preceded in death by his wife, Josephine Ann (Brandt) Martinez.

Surviving Gabriel are his 3 daughters, Holly (Martinez) Seeger, Julie Martinez and Brandi Martinez; granddaughter, Seneca Seeger; 4 sisters, Josephine Martinez, Jeannie Martinez, Rose Arzuaga and Yvette Marquez; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Gabriel was a former detailer for Bobby Rahal Dealership, Mechanicsburg and a U. S. Army veteran of Desert Storm.

Gabriel was a man of many facets. His greatest love was his family. Most of his relatives fondly remember his frequent phone call check-ins to ask whether they’d eaten, for cooking advice, the definition of a word, and more. The light of his life was his granddaughter Seneca, who he enjoyed chasing around his home and talking to on the phone.

Gabriel was a lover of the arts; any paper he wrote on sported beautiful penmanship and richly detailed drawings by his hand, and he spent many hours listening to music and playing his acoustic guitar. Other pastimes he enjoyed were fishing, card games, and most anything to do with cars. His home was a museum of cards and pictures from family, his Puerto Rican heritage, and his zodiac and favorite animal, the mighty lion.

Gabriel was also a decorated veteran of the United States Army, having proudly served in 1975 and from 1987 to 1991. He advanced to the rank of Sergeant, and was awarded over 20 ribbons and medals for his service.

He was always the type to strike up a conversation with a stranger, and had a knack for making people laugh. The outgoing and sometimes boisterous personality of “Gabriel the Angel,” as he called himself, will be missed by all who love him.

A visitation will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, May 17, 2019 followed by the Memorial Service at 3:00 PM in the Neill Funeral Home, 3501 Derry St., Harrisburg. Burial will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Neill Funeral Home to help with the funeral expenses.