On Saturday, November 10, 1979, a beautiful baby boy named Gabriel Lopez graced the world and was delivered to Fidel Lopez and Carmen Carrero to raise into a captain in command of anything he faced in life.
As a baby, Gabriel was the most beautiful thing anyone ever laid eyes on. He had the most beautiful soft blonde curls. He was energetic and loving. His mother was his everything; you never had to look further than his mother's hips if you were looking for him. If he wasn't there, he was in a corner biting his nails. A habit his aunt always tried to break.
Through the years he had huge ambition and developed into the man of the house. Always taking care of his mother, he became her protector. He stopped at nothing to make sure he helped out and took care of his family. When Gabriel became a young man his mother Carmen relocated back to Puerto Rico. She was confident that her son had the ability to be successful on his own. After his mother relocated, Gabriel shared his Brooklyn apartment with his brother Raul. The time they spent rooming together they saw each other transition from boys to men. They began to really live life and evolve into successful men.
At the age of 14, Gabriel’s first job was at a local Brooklyn supermarket across the street from where he lived with his mom bagging groceries. No one imagined that Gabriel, the young grocery bagger, would one day become the leader of three major industrial laundry corporations. In 2013 Gabriel was offered an opportunity he couldn’t resist and became the assistant plant manager in one of the biggest industrial laundries in the tristate, Unitex. Several years later, Gabriel was promoted to Unitex’s plant manager where he held his position until October of 2019. His entire career he was devoted and dedicated. He motivated and inspired individuals around him to strive to do their best. He was a natural-born leader which made it easy for him to succeed. He was respected by many because he believed in respecting others. He always said, “when you take care of your staff, they will take care of you.”
Gabriel and Ruth met March of 2010 when Ruth was hired into a department he supervised in Montefiore Hospital. At the time, Ruth was a single mother to a young boy, Anthony Cotto. They developed a genuine friendship before Gabriel built the courage to ask her on a date. Without hesitation, Ruth accepted his invitation. Gabriel was very good with children and he quickly charmed his way into Ruth’s and Anthony’s hearts. Gabriel and Ruth’s relationship quickly blossomed. They became inseparable. Gabriel was Ruth’s real-life beast as she was his real-life beauty. They shared a love that neither of them shared before. They planned their entire lives together as they promised each other to be together for eternity. They lived a true love fairytale which made them undeniable soulmates.
Gabriel became a father figure for Anthony. He taught him life lessons only fathers could teach their sons. Things like riding a bike, throwing a ball, paintballing, and of course girls! Gabriel and Anthony would often spend one on one time together and he always assured Anthony that he was loved. He built an unbreakable bond with his son. He instilled in Anthony the importance of responsibility and taking care of the family.
On May 22, 2013, Gabriel and Ruth welcomed a beautiful daughter named Aliyah Esme Lopez. Aliyah was the missing piece to the puzzle. She completed their family. She was the light of his eyes. Gabriel made it his business to ensure his daughter always felt like a princess. He was never afraid to be a girl dad. He built Barbie dream houses, played with her imaginary kitchen, had tea time, and played dress up! Every Thursday Gabriel would buy Aliyah flowers after work. He was her real-life prince.
There are not enough words that can be put together to describe how amazing of a father he was to his children Anthony and Aliyah. Gabriel was a nurturer to his family. His fiancé, their son, and his daughter made him unstoppable. He never skipped a beat and he stopped at nothing to be the best provider for them. His dedication and loyalty to Ruth is a once in a lifetime kind of love. Gabriel was the epitome of a family man.
October of 2019 Gabriel took a leap of faith. For years he spoke to his fiancé about relocating to Florida to be closer to his family. He searched for employment and found a position as a plant manager for Crown Healthcare Linen. Florida was his lifelong dream. He yearned to be with his father and siblings and family. During his short time in Florida, he spent many nights laughing and pretending he was a cowboy. He spent a lot of quality time with his dad. They both shared a passion for football even though they rooted for rival teams, his Dad the “little giants” and Gabe his manly cowboys. Their time spent together made up for years lost in distance.
Gabriel was a great brother to his siblings Raul Lopez, Jesus Lopez, Christian Lopez, Arianna Lopez, Alexandra Lopez, and Ruben Santiago. He was a loving nephew to Robert López, Elsie Johnson, María López Carmen Celia Ayala, Emilio Carrero, Miguel Carrero, and Luis Alberto Carrera. A wonderful uncle to Isabel, Troy, Christian Jr, Noah, Jazleen, Isaiah, Tristan, Anayah, Peyton, Liam. A thoughtful godson to Hector and Damaris. He was a loyal fiancé and life partner to Ruth. Gabriel was a devoted father to Anthony and Aliyah and a committed son to Fidel Lopez and Carmen Carrero.
On Friday, September 25, 2020, at 5:00 am, at the age of 40 years old, Gabriel Lopez, known as Gaby by his family and Gabe by his friends, was called home. He passed away in the state of Florida, the place he had wished to live for many years alongside all his family. He will forever be remembered for his stubbornness, his sarcasm, his complex way of thinking, his contagious laughter, his big smile and his charisma. When you see a mustang driving, you will remember Gabriel. When the Dallas Cowboys are on your TV screen, you will think of Gabriel. When you smell the rich scent of a Cigar, that is Gabriel. Lastly, when you think of someone with the biggest heart, smile, and laughter that’s Gabriel, OUR Captain.
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