Atty Carl W. Gabel Jr.

1933 - 2021

Carl William Gabel, Jr., of Exeter, New Hampshire, died peacefully on February 28, 2021, after a long illness. He was 87 years young and witty to the end. Carl was born on September 12, 1933, to Lillian and Carl William Gabel in Amityville, New York. After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1955, he served as an Infantry Lieutenant in the 3rd Armored Division of the U.S. Army in Friedberg, Germany from 1956-58. He remained in the Army Reserves until 1963. Carl graduated from the University of Illinois Law School in 1960 and began his 27 year legal career as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (1961-1988). Carl litigated numerous cases brought under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965 and Fair Housing Act of 1968. He traveled extensively, especially in the South, with teams of DOJ lawyers and paralegals to prevent and correct racial discrimination in voting, housing, and employment. Carl was known for his leadership skills, integrity, humility and excellent wit. At various times in his career, Carl was a member of the Bar Associations of Illinois, Maryland, District of Columbia and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Following his retirement from the federal government, Carl reconnected with Anne Clarke, a former paralegal in the Civil Rights Division, who was living in Portsmouth, NH. They were married in 1995 to the delight of family and friends. After moving up to Portsmouth, Carl was not one to be idle. He enjoyed volunteering at N.H. Legal Assistance and the N.H. Civil Liberties Union. Carl was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Dorothy, a Dominican nun in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin. He is survived by his devoted wife, Anne, loving brother-in-law, Steve Clarke, and his wife, Susan, and their extended family from Colorado, and his dearest Otterstedt cousins and their families from Long Island, New York, and Orlando, Florida. There will be a graveside service and a memorial service to celebrate Carl's life, later in the spring. Date and time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: NH Legal Assistance or NH Civil Liberties Foundation. For online condolences, visit: www.jvwoodfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the directions and care of the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home and Cremation Service - Buckminster Chapel.