Gary Wayne Elijah Gabriel

He was born on August 15, 1944 in Springhill, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was the product of the union of Thomas Gabriel of Springhill, Nova Scotia and Florence Mae Gabriel (nee Dorrington) of Truro, Nova Scotia. Eli was one of 13 children and is predeceased by his mother, father, sisters June, Carol, Constance, Janet, Gail, Julie and brothers Grant (Abe), Kirk, Dwight and Gregory.

Eli grew up in the house his father built at 124 McGee in Springhill Nova Scotia. In 1962 he relocated to Toronto, Ontario and pursued his lifelong passion of creating and producing music. He was the co-manager, along with his brother Abe, of the three-time Juno Award nominees and Billboard charting 1970’s R&B group the Crack of Dawn, whose members included his sister Jacqueline and brother Dwight. He relocated to Vancouver in 1979 and continued to write and produce music until he passed.

He leaves to cherish his memory his two sisters, Jacqueline Gabriel, Clohe Mutto, four sons Gabriel Patterson, Tarry Upshaw, Anthony Jahsiah (AJ) Miko, Aaron Miko, three daughters Dionne Ukponrefe (nee Emmerson), Simone Shears, Tamara White (nee Bennett) and grandsons, Marcus Upshaw, Joshua and Jeremiah Ukponrefe, granddaughters Serenity and Destiny Ukponrefe, Jada Upshaw and Cassandra and Breann Patterson. There are also many nieces and nephews, cousins, colleagues and friends who will mourn his passing.

A Celebration of Life service will take place at Henderson’s Langley Funeral Home on November 18th, 2023 and shortly thereafter in Toronto. For information on the Toronto service please email your request to [email protected] to receive more details.

Thank you to our friends, family and community for your kind messages and prayers. If you are interested in making a donation in lieu of flowers, you are encouraged to donate to Saint James Music Academy, helping youth get better access to musical instruments, education and community programs.

In memory of Gary Wayne Elijah Gabriel, please donate at: https://sjma.ca/ways-to-give/donate/

May God bless you.