Jack Gabriel

1923 - 2017

Jack Edwin Gabriel

September 2, 1923 - January 30, 2017

Jack Gabriel passed away peacefully in his sleep in San Diego, California at the age of 93. Born and raised in San Francisco, he is survived by his three daughters, Niña Gabriel (Lee), Pamela Maloney (Michael), and Xia Horowitz, sister Joan Hersko, and six grandchildren, April Maloney, Patrick Maloney (Julie), Aaron Horowitz, Riley Gabriel-Lee, Amy Horowitz, and Alana Maloney. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Sylvia Gabriel (1912-2013), and his parents Edwin and Lillian Gabriel.

Jack was a third-generation native San Franciscan, an Eagle Scout with Troop 17, and a graduate of George Washington High School. A traveler from a young age, he regularly took train trips to Los Angeles to visit his grandparents and spoke of those trips (and other train adventures) fondly later in life. As an adult, Jack visited dozens of countries on five continents, exploring cities from Abu Dhabi and Ouagadougou to Reykjavik and Hyderabad. He enjoyed sharing stories, pictures, and postcards with his friends and loved ones. Always encouraging his children and grandchildren to see the world, he would often remind them that experiences are far more valuable than possessions.

Jack, who joined the ROTC at Cal, served in the United States Army during World War II, including a tour of duty in France. In May 1945 he "liberated" a jeep and made his way to Paris to celebrate VE Day. Upon returning home, he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology at UCLA and moved to New Jersey where he served as an officer at Fort Monmouth. A chance encounter introduced him to the love of his life when Sylvia Lichtenstein requested an escort to the commissary. Of the three young officers in the office at the time, Jack happily volunteered for the task. Jack and Syl wed in May 1949, and in 1952 they returned to San Francisco, where he soon began accounting classes at Golden Gate University. His strong work ethic, sharp wit, and noteworthy public speaking ability helped define his career as a partner at Touche Ross, one of San Francisco's premier accounting firms. After Jack's retirement, he and Sylvia divided their time between San Francisco, Palm Springs, and San Diego.

He will be remembered by friends and family for his turn of phrase, his love of poetry, puzzles, and puns, and his ability to amaze and engross audiences with stories of his life experiences.