Michael J. Gobeil

Largo, Florida: Michael J. Gobeil, 66, passed into the loving arms of Jesus, on October 31st, 2023, after a brief illness. Though he is no longer with us, we are able to reflect and smile upon the many great memories that surround this wonderful man.
Michael was born in Montreal, Canada on January 1st, 1957, to the late Lucien and Marcelle (Remi) Gobeil. He was the third of seven siblings groing up in Haverhill, MA. He attended Haverhill Trade School and Northern Essex Community College taking up engineering as a trade and worked as an engineer for the City of Haverhill. He also dabbled in construction for Pettis Roofing and painted independently, just as his father did when Michael was a young boy. One of Michael's best friend's growing up was Jimmy Smithers. They were often known as "Mike and Ike," and even though the two of them could never agree on anything, they were the best of friends. Another of his closest friends was Norbert Mercedes, with whom he shared much of his time taking part in karate and wrestling. As an avid music lover, Michael was a huge Aerosmith fan and loved to play the guitar. He also was very passionate about cars. He particularly loved attending the Friday night races at The Pines Speedway in Groveland and later when it closed, he continued his passion for racing watching the Dragsters and Funny Cars at Lee and Star Speedways. Another passion close to Michael's heart was New England sports. He was a die-hard Red Sox, Patriots and Bruins fan, knowing every single player, and all of their stats.
Michael always made friends wherever he went. In 2001, when he moved to Tallahassee, Florida, and later to the east coast of Florida he met his "second family," who he loved dearly. He was so thankful to God for having met Dr. Jerry Odum, who Michael referred to as "the Colonel," and his lovely wife, Martha Lane, and their daughter Dawn, who was his gentle and loving caretaker towards the end of his life. This family welcomed Michael into their home and always had a place for him at the table for the holidays. He grew to know them very well. Jerry became like a second father to Michael and was the person who led him to have such a close relationship with the Lord, for which Michael was forever grateful. The Odum family was very important to Michael and he spoke about them quite often. Felix Padilla, one of Michael's best friends was another person he held very dear, from the time they were teenagers, all the way through adulthood. Felix visited him in Florida often and the two maintained their friendship, enjoying their time together fishing and sharing the same faith and love for Jesus until Felix's passing in 2013.
Michael spent his days in Florida as an independent maintenance mechanic as well as working as a Mechanic for St. Petersburg College in Tampa. He also devoted much of his time reading books including the Bible and devotionals written by his favorite author, Charles Stanley.
Though he became ill in the end, his love and devotion to the Lord remained strong. His amazing heart loved his family and friends so much and he would not want those that he loved so much to think of him in sadness, for he knew that he would be made whole again, free of illness, free of pain, and resting peacefully, gleaming with his beautiful, infamous smiling grin, in the loving arms of Jesus.
Michael is predeceased by his beloved mother and father, Lucien and Marcelle, as well as his uncle Denis Gobeil and brother-in-law, Eugene Hawkes. He is survived by his six siblings, Louise Morais and her husband Paul of Hampton, NH, his brother Guy Gobeil and his wife Susan of Beverly, MA, his sister, Johanne Hawkes, of Salisbury, MA, his brother Chris and his wife Deborah, of Bradford, MA, his sister Linda Brandolini and her husband William, of Haverhill, MA, his brother Daniel Gobeil, of Haverhill, MA, his uncle Ramond Gobeil, of Montreal, Canada and many nieces and nephews who loved him very much.
Calling hours will be held on December 5, 2023, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow, NH and followed by a service in the funeral home at 12:15 p.m., led by Pastor Dan Odem. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, 892 Hilldale Avenue, Haverhill, MA.