Gabriel J. DeBlase, M.D. died suddenly at home in Vineyard Haven on March 5, at the age of 76.
Gabe was born in Schenectady, N.Y., in 1932 and grew up on Hamilton Hill, graduating from Nott Terrace High School in 1949. He then went to Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y. After graduation in 1953, Gabe served as a medic in the United States Army while stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning from the Army, he began postgraduate studies at New York University and went on to Italy and graduated from the University of Bologna Medical School in 1961. Gabe returned to Schenectady to complete his medical internship and residency at Ellis Hospital and then opened his private practice in Internal Medicine. He took care of his many patients for 30 years.
Gabe retired to the Vineyard in 1996 and was able to have the time for gardening, walking around town, or just sitting down by the harbor reading a book. He found peace and contentment here on the Island after a busy professional life. He continued to feel useful by delivering bread, first for Biga Bakery and later for Osprey Bakery. He was a man who valued his family above all and was dedicated to his profession and his patients. He will be missed.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Helen, and by his sons, Glenn Gabriel and his daughter-in-law Diana of West Tisbury, Jon Gerard and daughter-in-law Erica of Holyoke, and Michael Joseph of Saratoga, N.Y. He is also survived by the joy of his later years, granddaughters Sophia Snow, Rosalie Irene and Gabriella Grace. Also surviving are his sister Ellen Harp of New Paltz, N.Y., with several nieces, nephews and cousins, and brother and sister-in-law Ted and Lucille Van Allen of Houston, Texas.
A funeral mass was held on Saturday, March 8, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts with interment at Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven, with full military honors provided by the Martha's Vineyard Veterans. Donations in his memory may be made to the Tisbury Firefighters Association, P.O. Box 1313, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 or the Tisbury Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 1409, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. Arrangements were handled by Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.
