There are so many great memories that we all have with my uncle, over the years there have been several of us cousins that needed parental figures in our lives and our family has always come together to be there for us, my Uncle Gabriel and Tia Yoly  included. We have been blessed with a family that has taught us how to work hard, be responsible, strive to be the best parents and most importantly always be there for one another.  My uncle Gabriel was always there when we needed to talk or to get some advice on a problem and he was always honest; even if it was something you didn't want to hear. Although he could be strict he had the best personality; I remember him dancing at every party, letting us tackle him down when we were little, him chasing Gabriel and I around the house making us laugh, or watching cartoons with him on Sunday mornings while we waited for Tia Yoly to make us her crepes and when he would drop us off in his little blue Toyota pickup truck, making a detour on Jst so he could speed through the train tracks and my cousins and I would all be bounce around the back. My Tio and Tia were also a great example of what love is really supposed to be with the love and respect they both had for one another, it was a beautiful thing to watch it grow over the years. 

As time went on he showed us all his strength, continuing to work even after his diagnosis, we knew how hard the treatments were on him but he continued to push and when we would see him he would smile as if everything was ok.  He showed his strength till the end refusing to take pain medicine so he could be as alert as possible, and although he is not here I find some comfort in knowing he is no longer in pain. I want to thank my Tia Yolanda and Maritza for taking such good care of him because I know he wouldn't have made it as long as he did without your constant care, love and support.  

The Fallen Limb-Author Unkown
A limb has fallen from the family tree.
I keep hearing a voice that says, "Grieve not for me.
Remember the best times, the laughter, the song. 
The good life I lived while I was strong.
Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you. 
Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through. 
My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest.
Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.
Continue traditions, no matter how small.
Go on with your life, don't worry about falls
I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.
Until the day comes we're together again.

Thank you Tio for always being there.

With much love,
Your Niece Elena Estrella

Gabriel was my Nino, my godfather.  

My Nino was hand selected to be my godfather before I was born, my parents knew he was going to be a great example and huge influence in my life and he sure did live up to the title.  

He always made me feel special, important and very loved.  I looked up to him as a second father figure.  So much that I picked him and my Nina to be my padrinos again for my quince as well as every time I would think of my dream wedding, one thing was for sure, was that I wanted him and my Nina to be the padrinos de velacion for the great example they gave me of such a strong and loving marriage.  

I was looking through pictures and found one of my Nino and I at my kindergarten Open House.  Showing what kind of Nino he was, I wasn't his daughter, I was his niece, his goddaughter and he showed up to be there for me and how excited I was for him to be there.  I showed him drawings and sang my songs, and there he was after a long, tiring day at work, supporting me.  

I remember him coming home from work, those days I was over their house and he would walk in, dancing and always smiling.  Never complaining of how tired he was.  I will always remember him as the strong, intelligent, loving and classy man he was and he will forever be missed.  

I love you Nino

Quiero compartir con ustedes quien era Gabriel para mí.

Gabriel tenía una manera de hacer que el tiempo que pasara con el fuera alegre, me decía chistes y hacia bromas o hablábamos en serio y me daba consejos.  Para mi Gabriel era muy inteligente.

A Gabriel le encantaban los deportes.  Era un maestro en racquetball, donde el ponía el ojo él ponía la pelota, íbamos a City College y jugábamos 3 o 4 horas, bueno para jugar basquetbol, pero él me decía que era suerte.  Jugábamos billar en mi casa, un día él se ofreció ayudarme a poner rejas en mi casa, me enseño a soldar, pero a su manera (a coscorrones) venía a mi casa el fin de semana o después del trabajo a soldar y después quería jugar billar.  Me platicaba de su trabajo y sus compañeros de trabajo en NASSCO (a quien el apreciaba mucho).  Me invitaba con él a pescar en barco, íbamos a Point Loma, me llevo a tomar clases de karate (me decía, ahora si ponle), íbamos a ver a los Padres jugar, fuimos de vacaciones con la familia, fuimos a conciertos y haci pasaron los años.

Gabriel fue mi mejor amigo del alma, fue mi cuñado, compadre, padrino de bodas y padrino de bodas a los 25 años.  Yo creo que hay personas que cambian tu vida por su manera de ser.  Para mí, esa persona fue Gabriel de la torre, y lo extraño.

I'm Gabriel's sister-in-law.  He came into our lives, when I was five years old as he started dating Yoly. He played basketball with us at the park.  Taught me a mean killer serve in racquetball.  And showed me and my siblings how to dance the hustle.  He didn't mind spending New Year's Eve with Yoly and her sibling as long as he spend it with her.

He was a man I admired, looked up to and I'm Honored to have been in his life.
Gabriel always had a smile, great sense of humor, values on respect for others, and believe me when I dropped out of college the only I worried to disappoint was Gabriel.  While he supported his family managed to graduate college.

So by the time I started dating, I knew what kind of a guy I wanted, i had a great example with Gabriel Kind, Attentive, Hardworking, great son, and loving to his wife and kids. My husband and Gabriel became Best Friends.

I feel honored to have known a man who was loved by so many, His Family, His Friends, and Coworkers.

My thoughts and prayers are with the De La Torre family in the time of sorrow. Mr. D was a great supervisor to work with he always had a smile. I will truly miss him worked with him at Nassco for many years. RIP Mr. D

OBITUARY

Elias Gabriel De La Torre

March 24, 1952 – August 2, 2015

Funeraria del Angel Chula Vista

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