Anthony "Gabe" Philip Garbarini

Gabe Garbarini, 86, of Ft. Lauderdale and Mt. Pocono, PA, passed away at home after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in West New York, NJ, son of Ernestine and Anthony Garbarini. He graduated Snyder High School, Jersey City, NJ and enlisted in the Navy at 17 years of age. He survived the typhoon /hurricane in Okinawa during World War II. After the war he graduated Seton Hall University and also attended Maryknoll Seminary for 2 years in Clark Summit, PA. Gabe re-enlisted in the Navy in 1951, served in the Korean War and was appointed to the first class at O.C.S., Newport RI, where he graduated as an ensign in the supply corps. During the Viet Nam War he was an ROTC instructor serving at Keansburg, NJ High School and eventually taught at the Navy School of Science and Technology at Sandy Hook, NJ of which he was a founder. He remained in the Navy Reserve (34 years) and was an active Navy Recruiter. He retired as a Navy Commander. Some of his career assignments were USS New Jersey; USS Amphion; Office Candidates School, Newport, RI; Navy Supply School, Bayonne, NJ; Supply Corps School, Atlanta, GA; Third Naval District, New York City for ROTC program for all New En...[more]

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nd States. He attended the Naval War College, Newport, RI, and was CO, Ships Supply Officer, Naval Station Reserve Center in Clifton, NJ. He also operated a very successful Insurance Agency. He is survived by his loving wife Shirley Lewert Garbarini; his children; ten grandchildren; nieces and nephews and sister Pat Santora. Gabe was predeceased by his first wife Clare Cooney, a Navy flight nurse, with whom he had four children: Michael (Kim), Mark (Barbara), Matthew (Lorraine) all of NJ and Mary McDowell (Mark) of TN. He was also predeceased by his parents, brothers, Nick and John and sister, Marie Peters. Gabe was a member of VFW Post 3448 and an active member of the Navy Memorial in Washington, DC. He was an active church member at St. Mary of the Mount Catholic Church, Mt. Pocono, PA and St. Anthony Catholic Church in Ft. Lauderdale where he and his wife Shirley were Eucharistic Ministers for many years. Gabe always had a spring in his step, a zest for life and a deep faith in God and dedication to his religion and country. He loved "cruising" and was proud of the fact that he and his wife Shirley traveled on 51 cruises all over the world during their 20 year marriage. He was part of the greatest generation and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 27, 2014 from 4:30 to 7:30 pm at Fred Hunter Funeral Home, 718 S. Federal Highway, Ft. Lauderdale 33316. A Funeral Mass celebrating Gabe's life will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 9:00 am at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 901 NE 2 St., Ft. Lauderdale 33301. Entombment will be at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery in North Lauderdale with full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice by the Sea in Ft. Lauderdale. www.fredhunters.com