Gabriel Leigh Cardenas "Gabe"

Gabe was born to Gabriel Cardnenas and Pamela (Brazzell) Cardenas on July 3, 1973 in Toledo, Ohio. His family traveled for many years and lived in many different cities/states when he was little. They even converted an old school bus into a mobile home so that they could save money. They settled into Grand Rapids, Ohio where Gabe attended Otsego High School. Gabe worked for AT&T in Toledo, Soundcom in Cleveland, and finally for the IBEW local 58 in Detroit. Gabe’s work as an electrician took him all over the US. His last job was working in Las Vegas, NV on the new NFL Raiders stadium.

While Gabe enjoyed his work his biggest joy was being with his family, close friends, and furbabies–Wyatt and Sammy. He had many interests–and pursued them all- he was good at everything he tried! He raced motorcycles, raced and built RC cars, mountain biking, skiing, and attending concerts. Our favorite band was Tedeschi Trucks, who we have seen at least 8 times all over the US. Gabe had a true passion for music. He performed in high school musicals and played with several bands as rhythm guitar and lead vocals. Gabe had such true talent and love of singing and entertaining the crowd. He even sang Cheap Tricks ' "I want you to want me" to a crowd following his wedding reception to Tricia. Everyone loved the performance and still talk about it years later. When he was unable to do these things, he took to the outdoors. He loved to sit on our front porch with his fur baby, Wyatt, and just enjoy the river view.

In 2018, Gabe’s life changed drastically when he went into kidney failure and had to begin a life on dialysis. Soon following this he was diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and peripheral vascular disease, which resulted in the loss of both legs and his right hand. During all the years of living with illness, Gabe exemplified to his friends and family the importance of living a joyful life with purpose and meaning regardless of obstacles. When Gabe could no longer fill his time with work, updating the house or working on our cars, he spent a lot of his time talking and reconnecting with a lot of his friends and family on the phone or driving his electric wheelchair to a friends house in town.Gabe gave everyone who knew him when he was ill the gift of showing us how to find joy in life, even as it was slipping away from him. He kept his sharp wit, sense of humor, and intelligence right up until his last days. He was a dear and special human being, with so many talents and such a love for life.

Gabe is survived by his wife of 20 years Tricia, children Noah (18); Ava (17); Nina (17), Grace (15); and Katherine (15), father- and mother-in-law Don and Patricia Krause, brothers in law Steven (Tisha) and Jeff Krause. Gabe loved his aunts and uncles and many cousins that touched his life in many ways. Uncle Joe (Pat) Cardenas and their children Yolanda, Patty, Maria, and Matt; Aunt Jackie, and Aunt Debbie and her children. Niece and nephew Samantha Krause and Jonathan Krause.His family was very important to him and he talked about them with love. Gabe left behind many special friends and caregivers, especially all the nurses at Davita Dialysis as well as the medical staff at Mercy St Vincent Hospital ICU unit that took such good care of him in all the stages of his disease progression.

Gabe’s family will hold a visitation at 10:00am and a Celebration of Life service at 11:00am on October 27, 2023 at St Paul Lutheran church, 112 E Wayne st, Maumee, Oh 43537

In lieu of flowers, Gabe and Tricia request donations be made in his memory to the Gabe Cardenas Memorial Fund on Venmo @gabecardenas73 All proceeds will go to his children to help with college expenses.