John Gabor Jr.

Gabor Jr, John
John Louis Gabor, Jr. age 65 of Shelton, beloved husband of Susan Erwin Gabor, and loving father of Jennifer Gabor Johnson and Kimberly Gabor Date, passed away peacefully August 25, 2012 at home surrounded by his loving family after a long battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. With his characteristic humor and stoicism John preserved the fun and joy of life throughout his illness.
Born in Stratford on October 1, 1946, the son of John Louis and Wanda Imiola Gabor, John attended Stratford Schools before joining the Marine Corps in 1964. He achieved the rank of Corporal while serving with the 1st Marine Amphibian Tractor Battalion, H&S Company located on Hill 34 in Vietnam. On August 17, 1966 John's company came under mortar and small arms fire. That action along with many others earned John the Combat Action Ribbon. Although he earned many other medals and ribbons, he most prized the CAR. Upon his return from Vietnam, John worked for the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company (Aquarion Water Company) retiring in 2004 as head of the Cross Connections Department. John had tremendous respect and fondness for his coworkers and administrators at Aquarion.
John was predeceased by his parents John Louis and Wanda Imiola Gabor and his sister Joan Louise Gabor. In addition to his wife and daughters, survivors include his sons in law Wes Johnson and Ravi Date, Ravi's mother Shaila Date, John's mother in law, Grace Erwin McDermott, and his 5 grandchildren Grace and Wesley Johnson, and Lily, Asher, and Desmond Date.
To honor his request, there will be no calling hours. A private service honoring his life will be held at a later date. The Riverview Funeral in Shelton has been entrusted with the arrangements.
His family would like to express sincere thanks to his many physicians especially his long time family physician, Dr. David Jutkowitz of Stratford and his neurologist, Dr. Duarte Machado of New Haven for their compassion and skill; his physical therapist Karina Lincer; the nurses and therapists of Gentiva and of Stratford,VNS Hospice at Home. Thanks also to the staff at Compassionate Care, particularly Annie, Simone, and Julie whose assistance enabled John's family to care for his needs, the therapists and nurses of Gentiva who provided their skilled help, and John's friends Ron Oris, Robert Bartram, Richard Shek, Alex Havelick and Richard Nemergut, who helped him enjoy the end of his life as much as he'd enjoyed the rest of his life. Final thanks to the many, many strangers, of all ages and walks of life, who saw how much John struggled to walk and interrupted what they were doing to offer a helping hand.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of John Louis Gabor, Jr. to the USO, PO Box 96322, Washington, DC, 20090-6322 (www.uso.org) or Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd, Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057 (www.semperfifund.org).
Online condolences can be left at www.riverviewfh.com.