Keith W. Gabbett

Keith Widdecombe Gabbett passed away on December 19th at the age of 80. Keith was born in Staten Island, New York, to the late Cecil Mansell Gabbett and Margo Widdecomb Gabbett. He graduated from Staten Island Academy, where he made life-long friends, and earned a bachelor’s degree from American University. Following school, he had a successful career in Human Resources with Swiss Bank Corporation and Fujitsu Consulting. During retirement from corporate life, he was the Senior Concierge at the Waterford 55+ community in East Brunswick, NJ where he greatly enjoyed assisting and greeting residents. Keith was a life-long active Episcopalian and served as a dependable volunteer for All Saints Church and later St. Andrews Church, both on Staten Island. He participated as an acolyte, in the vestry and in many special projects. While residing in East Brunswick, NJ, Keith became an active member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Spotswood. As a parishioner there, he served as an acolyte and helped develop the food pantry. He was a Cursillo team member and helped organize church-led events to renew and deepen Christian commitment among parishioners. He was also co-president of the local East Brunswick AARP chapter with his wife Dorothy. Upon moving to Toms River, NJ, Keith joined Christ Episcopal Church where he joined Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey. In addition to spending time with family and friends, Keith enjoyed reading, going to the beach, attending concerts and shows, watching movies, and traveling. He felt especially blessed to have been able to visit so many interesting places. Some favorites included Alaska, a German Christmas Market river cruise, and historic sites in the United States. He loved animals and had several dogs over the years. He was often the dog sitter for friends and family and kept a bag of treats in the cabinet for when furry friends came for a visit. Keith was very proud of his family’s genealogy and had many mementos from past generations. Keith is survived by his two daughters and their life partners, Beth Gabbett (David Williams), and Mary Gabbett (Bret Love), a stepdaughter Jeanmarie Teitler (Howie Teitler), two grandchildren Alexei Teitler and Julianna Teitler, along with many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy Gabbett, and his brothers, Donald (Blake) Gabbett and Cecil (Buzz) Gabbett. Keith will be memorialized in a service at St. Peter’s Eiscopal Church, 505 Main Street, Spotswood, NJ 08884, on Monday, February 6, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends will be received from 9:30 a.m. until the time of ceremony at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 505 Main Street, Spotswood, NJ 08884. Please indicate Food Pantry in the memo section of your check.