Miss you always my brother.  Until we meet again!

I first met Gabe when I was skiing with a mutual friend. When we got a chance to talk a bit, I learned that he shared my interest in mathematics. He was such a great guy and will be missed by us all.

Having Waz out on the range was guaranteed to be a good time.  I can now confess that I somehow got away without having to drink a prairie fire, shhhhh!  We ran the mobility section, snuck away to go eat breakfast for “team meetings”. You knew how to keep moral high.  Miss your energy!

A.J. My heart is broken and I am truly honored to have been a small part of your life. I never got to tell you how proud of you I am, I will never forget when u where still a kid and we marched and sang cadence's  in Utah, When I was on leave. That's such a special memory that will always be cherished. You are a Hero, you saved so many lives and gave so many a chance to go home without them ever knowing it.... Till Valhalla special  EOD warrior
1st AD
1/1 Cavalry
"I can hear the choppers coming...they're hovering over head"......... Rip

Always a lot of laughs with Gabe-- Top Golf, BBQs (grill master!), Game of Thrones, Pampered Chef.... skipping work with Eric to go see Star Wars, working with Salt Lake City to prepare for disasters.... we will miss you! 

Gabe and I were neighbors during his time in Dayton and quickly became great friends.  I have so many great memories with Gabe and am proud that he was a groomsman at my wedding.  I will always remember his smile, his laugh, and his character.  I love you, brother.

Waz was the first person to welcome me into the EOD family even though I am AMMO. I spent many hours with him hearing his crazy stories. He seriously had the biggest heart and the shortest memory LOL. The world is a better place because of him and I am honored to call him a friend and more importantly a brother. Rest easy, Hero.

I'll always remember our late night conversations in your living room with Des, and all of the times you kicked my ass, when we would wrestle in the living room. Thank you for always being a great teacher, mentor, and a big brother. I love you man, and I'm so glad you were a part of my life. Rest easy brother. Love always, Eddie V.  

Although I didn’t spend a lot of time with you as an adult, I will always remember our time we had together growing up.  I will always cherish all those holidays, birthdays and family gatherings we had. It will not be the same without you! I love and miss you! 

Waz and I became friends instantly because we share a love of all things goofy. Funny guy with a great smile and a fat heart.

Years after we met, he took my brother Travis and husband Daniel on a snowboarding trip (naturally). I told him he better bring Daniel back in one piece! He did...sorta. They snowboarded over some icy areas where Daniel fell and ended up with an AC separation.  I loved giving him a hard time about it. But really, I loved that he just loved to do whatever he could to make people laugh and have the best time.

My deepest sympathy to Mirsayah and the rest of the family. There are no words to express such a tragic loss of a wonderful person, friend, and dad. I hope the memories and photos people share will bring some level of comfort to you all...Especially the volume, knowing how many lives he impacted with his love and laughter.

WAZ

Mirsayeh, let me first say to you sweetheart how very sorry I am for your loss.  I met you a few times when you were very young.  Your Dad spoke of you sooo often, I felt like I knew you your whole life.  I think he loved you more than any other Father loved his daughter.  

What a great person he was!  Great EOD Tech, Team Leader and simply ‘Good People’

One of my favorite stories he told me about when he was a child... he was in school hanging out with some friends and apparently some kids asked him if he ate Mexican food at home!  He said, “Well, sure...but we just call it food!”

His sense of humor always made a bad day good and good day better.

Besides being my BEST Team Leader in Afghanistan in heavy combat, he had the additional task of Supply acquisitions in peacetime at home station.  He was amazing at this too.  He purchased everything the entire flight needed for combat missions, he got us all the stuff we needed and many things we didn’t know we needed until we got deep into harms way.  He was such a great person.  I will miss him dearly.  

Again, I’m deeply saddened for your loss, he was a great friend and I’m certain a fantastic Father.

With Great Respect
Top
CMSgt (ret) Trent Topolski

My first memory of "AJ"  is when his mama placed him in my arms wrapped in a blanket, he was the most beautiful baby boy with the "Wasnuk head" (as we called it) and I fell in love with him instantly! I  held him ,rocked him for a very long time! I was the proudest aunt ever! When it was time to let him go home, I recall my sister having to repeat herself  for me to give him back.  I felt a sad tug in my heart because even in that happy time of family togetherness ; I never knew when I would hold him again but I was able too! 
It was his first Thanksgiving and I swear he ate a whole turkey ! Not really but boy did he sound like it, it was so adorable how he enjoyed his food. 
 This is incredibly painful, so no goodbyes,  I will see you again .
 Thank you for" you" , thank you for your service and although always living distant, always in our hearts.
Love Always,
"Aunt" Julie


For My Cousin A.J, 
                  I Know Our Family May Not Of Lived Close Together & The Time We Had Was Short And Not Enough.With Any Of Ya'll ...Im Thankful For Ever Knowing You And Listening To P. Diddy With Ya Was My Favorite Memory. 
        I'll Never Forget Your Smile Cuzzo!  
                 Sending Love To All Of My Family. 
         


I am the ex mother in law that Gabe couldn't shake.  He was a keeper. A great Dad and a wonderful son in law.  We have spent many occasions together as a family.  He will truly be missed!!!  We love you, Gabe. Rest in peace son.

The last few days have been really tough for me, I can't even imagine what it has felt like for the members of his family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time. While I didn't personally know every member of his family, I do know that he loved his daughter Mia more than life itself. Mia, just know that you were his entire world.

Grabriel Wasnuk (Waz) wasn't just my friend, but the older brother that I never had. When I look back on the low points in my own life, he was always there to tell me exactly what I needed to hear, no matter what he was dealing with at the time. He cared so much about his friends, and always made them feel like family.

Waz, I'll never forget all the times you kicked my butt in Madden, and it was definitely a lot. Too many to even count. Or the time you took me snowboarding for my birthday. Or laughing until we cried singing "Livin' On A Prayer" at the top of our lungs in the car. Or late night conversations with you and Eddy.

I love you and miss you brother. I'll always be grateful for the opportunity to have you in my life.

Love Always,
Joshua Des Islets (Dez)

When I first met Gabe he came in to get his haircut, he was so funny he asked if I could do a good fade and I said well I would hope so but I guess only you can be the judge of that he smiled that contagious smile and then I was his go to barber from there on! he was there for me going through my divorce and helped me through everything helped me find myself again and I will forever be thankful to him you could say he saved my life in sense. we watched all of the game of thrones series in a matter of a month or two lol something like 160 hours of GOT some of the best memories of my life.  I watched his beautiful dog for him a lot i sure do love them! I will forever cherish the memories I have with him RIP 

Gabe and I were PTSD confidantes! He was the gentle Giant among men - we shared - we cried As we shared - we were American Airman trying to cope with our demons. Upon hearing of his death, I prayed the Catholic rosary for him this morning, and it starts today with the 1st Mystery - The Annunciation of the Angel to Mary... “In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph...”  I consider myself blessed by God, for having Gabriel sent into my life... He is an angel and a Hero!  Very proud of him, and to call him a friend and confidante - I’m better now, knowing he is watching me from above... as I honor his name and accomplishments at every chance. Love you Brother!

OBITUARY

Gabriel John Wasnuk

February 16, 1981 – October 8, 2020

Sunset North Funeral Home

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