Anthony Gabriella

Anthony Gabriella died peacefully at his home in Eldorado Springs on March 11, 2017, with his beloved wife, Betty, holding his hand. He was 94. Anthony was born in Marshall (Gorham), Colorado, to Joseph and Catherine DiSanto Gabriella. He attended the old Marshall School for 11 years and graduated from Campion Academy in 1941. He worked in area coal, gold and precious metal mines before entering the Army in WWII, as part of "The Greatest Generation," in 1942. He served in ordinance and the MPs in Belgium, France and Germany during five campaigns, including Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, and received 5 bronze stars. After the war, Anthony met Betty Lee Holbrook, who was in nurse's training at the Boulder Sanitarium. In 1948, Anthony married Betty, the love of his life, in Enterprise, Kansas. He served 5 more years in the Army as a dental assistant and x-ray technician. During the Korean Conflict he spent a year in Germany. In 1962, he obtained his 2-year certification in X-ray Technology. He and Betty then returned to Boulder, where he worked for C&M Ready Mix, Boulder/Denver Truckline and Mobil Pre-Mix as a driver, retiring in 1985. They built their home in Eldorado Springs in 1972. The two of them enjoyed many years of camping and traveling throughout Canada, Mexico, and the United States, including two driving trips to Alaska. They took their last camping trip when Anthony was 87. The Civil War and railroading were his particular passions. He held a lifelong interest in the local area coal mines. His knowledge and expertise, along with collection of old photos, was often sought after for historical reference. The same was true for his interest in, and knowledge of, steam trains. During his life, Anthony was "oral history" at its best. His family and friends were blessed to be informed by his fine mind and vivid memory up to his last days. He recalled the horrors of war, along with its grand and historic moments He also had many poignant, happy and humorous memories of growing up in Marshall in the '30s! Anthony was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, (Dr.) Thomas Gabriella, Angelo Gabriella, and Albert Gabriella; sisters, Carmella Gabriella and Mary Vickery. He is survived by his wife Betty; sisters Madeline Corey, of Grand Junction, CO; Lucy Geolfos, of Crawford, CO; Giulia Echols, of Longmont, CO; and Kay (Skip) Hicks, of Longmont, CO, along with his many admiring nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews. He was our hero whose hearty laugh and great sense of humor will always be remembered. Services will be held March 19, 2017 at 2:00pm at the Boulder Seventh-day Adventist Church, 345 Mapleton Ave., Boulder, CO. A graveside military service will be held at Green Mountain Cemetery, 290 20th St. Boulder, CO Monday, March 20, 2017 at 1:00pm. Please visit www.greenwoodmyersfuneral.com to offer condolences.