Phil Gabrielson

Phil Gabrielson, beloved husband, dad, grandpa, son, brother, uncle, friend, hunter, fisherman, coach, golfer, card shark, entrepreneur, business owner and partner, home builder, insurance agent, social media influencer (@deer_beer_gear), brewer, Mr. Do-It-Yourself, role model, provider, and protector, left us Feb 4, 2026 while doing one of the many, many things that brought him joy: taking the pot at a poker table. He was only 66. He lived in Washington Township in the summer and Ocala, Florida in the winter. Both homes offered open invitations and well-stocked snack cabinets.

Born in Detroit and raised on the East side, Philip Alan Gabrielson—son of Philip H. and Joan C. Gabrielson—made Michigan his home, literally building a life by hand and hard work with his wife, best friend, and love of his life, Jill, and their daughters, Elise Gabrielson, Lauren Gabrielson Morse, and Rachael Smith. Phil graduated from Chippewa Valley High School, having already ignited his lifelong entrepreneurial spirit first as a teen-aged copier salesman, then as a Prudential agency owner, the developer of the Hidden Oaks neighborhood, and a Jimmy John’s franchisee. He built these successful businesses during his spare time in between coaching his daughters’ softball teams, and hunting and fishing with his father, brothers, nephews, and as many friends as he could possibly cram into assorted cabins and blinds. Never one to sit still, he recently embarked on a new phase of his life, selling his businesses and supporting Jill’s equestrian pursuits at their new home in Ocala while becoming the world’s greatest grandpa ever (a unanimous vote by grand kids Hobey, Christopher, Sutton, and Steely, who are really going to miss him).

He is survived by his wife, daughters, grand kids, his sons-in-law, his mom, his sister and brothers and all their kids and grand kids, his cousins and aunts and uncles, and all the countless friends he ever made in a far-too-short life chock full of caring and love. And Hunting and Fishing. We are all better for having been in Phil’s life.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026 from 12-6pm with a service from 6-7pm, held at the Henry M. Malburg Funeral Home in Romeo, MI.