Gabriel Sabo

The Galactic Alliance has recalled Space Ranger Gabe Sabo to be redeployed to another part of the galaxy in the fight against the Evil Emperor Zurg. As he blasted off into outer space, sounds of "You've Got a Friend in Me" could be heard calling him home.

Gabriel Ernest Sabo, age 12, of Dalton, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026. In his final moments he was surrounded by Buzz Lightyear, Harold the Cow, and the love of his mother.

Gabe was born on February 15, 2013 in Toledo, Ohio to his mother Samantha Ibarra and father Aaron Sabo. He was just 18 months younger than his brother Rocky. Their sister Aurora joined a few years later and the three of them spent many days watching Disney movies, playing chess, and foraging in the woods.

As Gabe grew up he experienced the world a little differently: he hated to be held, he was particular about his food, and he was slow to begin talking. Eventually his family figured out Gabe lived his life on the Autism Spectrum. His brother and sister watched out for him, helped him when he needed it, and never coddled him. They were happy to tell him when it was their turn to play on the iPad or to pick what to eat for lunch. His mother spent years ensuring he received the therapies he needed and dedicated her life to him as his caregiver. When Steve joined their family, Gabe took to him immediately. Steve raised him like his own son. They played games and pulled pranks and laughed every day. Gabe grew to call him Dad. The whole family loved Gabe for who he was and never dared to pity him.

Gabe had too many niche special interests to list out, and some so bizarre you would sound crazy describing them. Paramount among his interests were his love for Toy Story and Christmas. His best friends were Buzz Lightyear and Woody, but he could name every character in the franchise, whether they had a speaking role or not. In fact, he could list the year any Disney movie was released. Like any child with a pure heart, he loved Christmas, but Gabe celebrated it year-round. He loved to turn on The Polar Express and run his trains around the track-everyone in his family counts themselves lucky enough to have been awoken by the blare of an engine horn in the middle of the night.

In the fall of 2024 Gabriel was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. He hated every visit to the hospital and fought every nurse and aide who stuck him for an IV, but reveled in the treat of eating Chick-fil-a on the drive home. The family is incredibly grateful for the care that was given to Gabe at Albany Children's Hospital. The entire staff went out of their way to accommodate him and were endlessly patient, always looking for new solutions for Gabe's unorthodox needs.

Gabriel is survived by his mother Samantha, stepfather Steve, brother Rocky and sister Aurora, and an extended family of relatives who all will miss him dearly. He is preceded in death by his father, Aaron Sabo.

A funeral service will be held in Roncalli Hall at St. John XXIII in Perrysburg, Ohio on February 2 at 2:00pm.

If you feel so moved, the family asks you to honor Gabe's memory by donating to Acoustics for Autism, a Toledo-based nonprofit that connects families to support groups, resources, and scholarships to help their children thrive.

Gabe will always be among the stars. To infinity, and Beyond!