Gail Abruzzo

Gail Abruzzo died peacefully April 12, 2025, age 83. Gail was a selfless, kind, gentle, highly intelligent person who loved a good laugh. She adored her dogs, and was an enthusiastic Mets fan. She only boasted while mocking herself with a smile, for instance, reminding us of her perfect score on the Geometry Regents. Born in Queens in 1942, raised in East Rockaway, Gail (née Stein) met Joe at Lynbrook High in 1958; they married and remained inseparable for over sixty years. Even with the never-ending work raising two young boys, Gail earned a BA in education from Hofstra. She substitute taught in Lynbrook, relocating to Dix Hills in 1974. Joe and Gail each ran separate small businesses until retirement in Las Vegas. They enjoyed bike tours of places including France, Vermont, Northern California, Ireland. Gail loved seeing new places and reporting back to us on interesting people they'd met. A lifelong Democrat, she was particularly passionate over protecting reproductive rights. She volunteered on campaigns, becoming an enthusiastic supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders in his 2020 bid for president. Gail was loyal to her three lifelong friends whom she loved: Maggie, Rita, and Nancy. They'd meet in NYC annually for a few days of hilarity. She was an enormous Willie Nelson fan, and other country greats-the honest humor of the lyrics were, to her, endlessly delightful. She adored her book club in retirement as well. But her greatest love was for her grandchildren to whom she was utterly devoted, forever curious. She is survived by her husband Joe, two sons Joe and Paul, their wives Mila and Haley, her siblings Eric and Helen Stein, her three grandchildren: Mac, Lauren, and Celia, one great-grandchild, Ellie, and three step-grandkids: Michael, Natasha, and August. She will be deeply missed by all of us.