Brian Gabriel

Brian "Bo" Gabriel, 73, passed away on July 17, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio, surrounded by his children and holding his daughter's hand. Born on January 21, 1952, in Fairview Park, Ohio.

From a young age, Brian was fueled by curiosity and imagination. As a boy paging through National Geographic, he promised himself he would see the world - and he kept that promise. From the beaches of Fiji to the boomerangs of Australia, his adventures spanned continents. Among them, Brazil held a special place in his heart, becoming a second home where Carnival, sunshine, and samba matched his zest for life. It was also there that he met the love of his life and became a father.

A natural athlete, Brian earned the nickname "Gabriel-all-sport" in high school, where he starred in every varsity team. He especially loved baseball and golf, passions that stayed with him throughout his life, and he was a loyal fan of Cleveland's sports teams. But no matter how much he loved his hometown, Cleveland winters never agreed with him. Each year, he would head south in search of warm climates - chasing sunshine, beaches, and, above all, fun.

Brian built Cleveland Delivery Service into a thriving family business, serving major clients across the Midwest and Northeastern United States for more than a decade. Later, he worked with FEMA, helping communities rebuild after disaster. He also ran for mayor of Fairview Park and once won the lottery - both examples of the unpredictability and boldness that marked his life.

A self-described hedonist with a sharp intelligence, Brian combined a love of fun with a never-ending quest for knowledge. To his friends, he was a loyal companion, quick with a joke and always the life of the party. To his children, he was a dedicated and serious father - the role he often said was his proudest and best accomplishment. He raised them to believe that anything was possible and encouraged them to live with courage and curiosity.

Brian is survived by his children, Gabrielle (Gabby) Gabriel and Victor Gabriel; his stepdaughter, Paula Papushak; his former wife, Ana Lucia Gabriel; and his sisters, Elizabeth (Betty) Gabriel and Regina (Gina) Gabriel. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Rose, his sister Kathleen Dietrick, and his brother Stanley Gabriel.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Angela Merici Church in Fairview Park on September 15, 2025, at 11:30 a.m., followed by a reception. The service will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend.

Brian Gabriel will be remembered as a kind-hearted Ohio man who dreamed of adventure as a boy and spent his life turning those dreams into reality - a journey marked by travel, fun, and family.