Obituary for Noreo Gabriel
Noreo Anthony Gabriel
February 26, 1949 - December 3, 2022
Noreo Anthony Gabriel, 73, of Wolcott, passed away at home on December 3, 2022. Noreo was predeceased by his parents, Dolphi Gabriel and Jennie (Storace) Gabriel of Naugatuck. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 46 years, Joann (Mariotti) Gabriel, and his daughter Alicia (Gabriel) Hanson and her husband Gregg Hanson and his daughter Amy Gabriel. Noreo also leaves his brother-in-law, John Jay Mariotti; sister-in-law, Ann Marie Mariotti; his niece and nephews, as well as many adoring aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Born and raised in Naugatuck, Noreo spent an illustrious career in law enforcement with the Naugatuck Police Department. Beginning as a “beat cop”, Noreo worked his way up to the rank of Lieutenant and spent 25 years serving the hometown he loved, and was named Officer of the Year for extraordinary work with a multi-state rescue of a child. He went on to work for the Prospect Police Department for another 19 years, and was highly respected in his field. Always searching for more ways to improve the community, Noreo also became a certified D.A.R.E. officer and assisted hundreds of students in that capacity. He additionally worked as Animal Control Officer for the PPD. A gentle man with an easygoing nature and an uncommonly kind face, Noreo also worked as a funeral assistant at both the Zembruski Funeral Home and the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home. He was well suited to this work and was an enormous asset to both Homes for his ability to quietly comfort the bereaved.
Noreo’s best accomplishments, however, were his long loving marriage and his relationship with his daughters. “Mr. Wonderful” took enormous pride in his family, and was immensely grateful to not only maintain closeness with them, but to open his heart and home to those deserving of love. Noreo loved his lake house and enjoyed hosting family picnics and playing cards for hours while chatting away, and would talk often of the pride and joy he got from his beloved GTO. A true New Englander, the extent to which he absolutely adored Cape Cod cannot be overstated. From spending holidays to spontaneous weekend trips to their place there, along with Joann, Noreo spent many, many very happy hours on the Cape. Noreo had a wonderful sense of humor which made laughter a constant in his home throughout his life. He could consistently be counted on for a hilarious true story that would leave the listener in tears, a quip, or a tremendous eyeroll when Joann would tell an off-color joke. Throughout his life, Noreo was known to his extended family as the guy to call in a pinch - he was happy to help lend a hand, an ear, or a hug. Noreo was a remarkable man who will be sorely missed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Friday, December 9, at St. Anthony Church, 4 Union City Road, Prospect. Burial will be private. Calling hours are 4 – 7 pm on Thursday, December 8 at Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Hermione's Home Cat Rescue www.hermioneshome.com or St Jude Children's Hospital www.stjude.org/
February 26, 1949 - December 3, 2022
Noreo Anthony Gabriel, 73, of Wolcott, passed away at home on December 3, 2022. Noreo was predeceased by his parents, Dolphi Gabriel and Jennie (Storace) Gabriel of Naugatuck. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 46 years, Joann (Mariotti) Gabriel, and his daughter Alicia (Gabriel) Hanson and her husband Gregg Hanson and his daughter Amy Gabriel. Noreo also leaves his brother-in-law, John Jay Mariotti; sister-in-law, Ann Marie Mariotti; his niece and nephews, as well as many adoring aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Born and raised in Naugatuck, Noreo spent an illustrious career in law enforcement with the Naugatuck Police Department. Beginning as a “beat cop”, Noreo worked his way up to the rank of Lieutenant and spent 25 years serving the hometown he loved, and was named Officer of the Year for extraordinary work with a multi-state rescue of a child. He went on to work for the Prospect Police Department for another 19 years, and was highly respected in his field. Always searching for more ways to improve the community, Noreo also became a certified D.A.R.E. officer and assisted hundreds of students in that capacity. He additionally worked as Animal Control Officer for the PPD. A gentle man with an easygoing nature and an uncommonly kind face, Noreo also worked as a funeral assistant at both the Zembruski Funeral Home and the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home. He was well suited to this work and was an enormous asset to both Homes for his ability to quietly comfort the bereaved.
Noreo’s best accomplishments, however, were his long loving marriage and his relationship with his daughters. “Mr. Wonderful” took enormous pride in his family, and was immensely grateful to not only maintain closeness with them, but to open his heart and home to those deserving of love. Noreo loved his lake house and enjoyed hosting family picnics and playing cards for hours while chatting away, and would talk often of the pride and joy he got from his beloved GTO. A true New Englander, the extent to which he absolutely adored Cape Cod cannot be overstated. From spending holidays to spontaneous weekend trips to their place there, along with Joann, Noreo spent many, many very happy hours on the Cape. Noreo had a wonderful sense of humor which made laughter a constant in his home throughout his life. He could consistently be counted on for a hilarious true story that would leave the listener in tears, a quip, or a tremendous eyeroll when Joann would tell an off-color joke. Throughout his life, Noreo was known to his extended family as the guy to call in a pinch - he was happy to help lend a hand, an ear, or a hug. Noreo was a remarkable man who will be sorely missed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Friday, December 9, at St. Anthony Church, 4 Union City Road, Prospect. Burial will be private. Calling hours are 4 – 7 pm on Thursday, December 8 at Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Hermione's Home Cat Rescue www.hermioneshome.com or St Jude Children's Hospital www.stjude.org/