Gabriel Spriestersbach

Gabriel 'Gabe' R. Spriestersbach, 22, of Springbrook Drive, Mansfield, died Saturday, February 5, 2005 after struggling with alcoholism for several years. Born December 24, 1982, in Mansfield to Rick and Debra Spriestersbach, he was a 2001 graduate of Mansfield Senior High School and a recent graduate of Pittsburgh Culinary Institute. Gabe loved life, his family and friends, every dog, cat or stray animal he ever met, cooking, practical jokes and traveling. While in Pittsburgh, he was employed at Bosa Nova, an upscale trendy Tapas Restaurant. After returning to Mansfield, he was employed as a cook at the Waterford Senior Retirement Center and was looking forward to starting as a chef at Sweeney's Too. He was an active member of AA and recently chaired the Sunday morning meeting of Ala-Fam in Galion, and the Tuesday night Big Book meeting in Mansfield. Although he worked very hard at maintaining sobriety, in the end the disease won. His hobbies included watching every South Park and Simpson's ever recorded, playing Texas hold-em poker while smoking cigars with his friends, bowling, ping pong, collecting antiques a love he inherited from his grandfather, playing chess, and his most cherished, stirring up mischief whenever and wherever possible. Gabe was much loved by many and we will miss him and carry him in our hearts always.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his brother, Heath Spriestersbach of Columbus; aunts and uncles, Kay and John Hopper of Columbus, Gertude and Carl Wells of Mansfield, Ginger Long of Mansfield, Mary Bowen of Cleveland, Georgianna Spriestersbach of Grafton, Keith and Kathy Bowen of Mansfield, and Greg and Sang-Mi Bowen of Tucson, Arizona; numerous cousins; his beloved cat, Allie; and his dear friends and sponsors, Ken and Debbie Chucci of Crestline. Gabe never met a stranger, but was especially blessed with many lifelong friendships. Among his closest friends and supporters were Matt Hunter and Drew Williams who were there for him throughout his struggles, Dan Van Harlingen, Mike Baker, Matt Barker, Brett Gordon, Ben Darby, Aaron Troyer and Chris Kline. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Harry and Laura Spriestersbach of Bellville, maternal grandparents, Gary and June Bowen, and friends and classmates, Sgt. Mike O'Neill and Army Spc. A.J. Vandayburg.

His family, not wanting his death to be in vain, plan to start the Gabe Spriestersbach Alcohol Awareness Program in his memory and honor. It will be a program designed to show the devastating effects of alcohol and alcoholism taught by and geared to teenagers and young adults.

Friends may call at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, Wednesday, February 9 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services conducted by Rev. Faith Proietti will be held Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Mansfield Cemetery.