George James Gabritsch

George James Gabritsch was the son of George and Margaret Gabritsch. George's father served in the US Coast Guard, so George moved about the country in his younger years. George was born in Miami Fla, then moved to Travers City MI, Biloxi LA, Elizabeth City NC, finally settling in Virginia Beach. George attended Princess Ann High School and graduated from Norfolk Catholic High School.

George thought he had a vocation to be a Benedictine Monk but quickly discovered that the lifestyle did not suit him. He returned to Virginia Beach and worked as a police dispatcher, and an insurance salesman before getting into the roofing business. George was ultimately able to form his own company.

George was member of St Matthew Catholic Church, St John's Catholic Church in Virginia Beach. After moving to Chesapeake, he became a member of St Stephen, Martyr Catholic Church. He served in various ministries over the years and rubbed elbows with Bishops and priests. George enjoyed helping people especially disadvantaged children. He would sponsor them for special trips making at least one family day cruise with the children on an aircraft carrier.

George was enthralled with trains from a young age. He would take any opportunity to see or ride one. He made trips to Costa Rico, South Africa and Poland with the expressed purpose to seeing and riding their trains. If you wanted to hear him talk, just ask about trains.

The other love of his life was Springer Spaniels. His neighbor gave him on as a small child and he had one or more spaniels as his companion ever since.

George felt indebted to the Shriners Hospital for the work they did helping him overcome his injuries due to polio. George was a patient in their hospitals many times during his childhood as they worked to mitigate the damage done by the disease. George maintained an affiliation with them as an adult offering his support and visiting their hospitals whenever possible.

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