WILMINGTON, MA — Gabriel R. Flores, age 92, a long-time resident of Wilmington, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on November 14, 2019.
Gabriel was born on April 24, 1927 in Cambridge, MA; he was the second of four children born to Portuguese immigrants, Gabriela and Manuel Flores. His dad passed away when he was just 9 and he and his older brother Manuel helped to raise their two younger siblings, Vicky and Bill.
Gabriel met the love of his life, Irene, while working at Galinaro’s Fish Market in Cambridge when he was just 16. In January of 1945 at the age of 17, he enlisted in the Navy while his brother Manuel joined the Marines. Gabriel served as a Seaman First Class and was assigned to the U.S.S. Turandot, an attack cargo ship where he was a gunner. Gabriel was awarded several medals for his service including the World War II Victory Medal, the American Area Ribbon, American Defense Medal, Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon and most notably the Purple Heart Ribbon. Gabriel was honorably discharged and returned home to his family in Cambridge. In the years that followed when he and his brother Manuel got together their families all enjoyed their stories about WWII and their part in the Greatest Generation.
Two years later on September 5, 1948, Gabriel married “his girl” Irene Branco; they bought a three family home on Tremont Street in Cambridge, MA, on the G.I. Bill where they lived for five years before moving to Tewksbury. They lived in Tewksbury for five more years and in 1959 moved to Wilmington where they raised their 4 children. Gabriel was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather and a generous friend. When he came home from work, it didn’t matter who was visiting, he only had eyes for his beautiful Irene and would be sure to kiss her first and ask how her day was. He worshiped her as she did him. Nothing pleased Gabriel more than when his family was all together on holidays and birthdays; especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Gabriel and Irene’s house was always warm and welcoming; there was never a lack of food or laughter, especially when the grandchildren and great-grandchildren were there. There was no mistaking that Gabriel adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Becki was the first grandchild and she gave him the name “Beeper; a title he cherished, even getting a vanity plate for his car the “Beeper”.
Gabriel looked forward to family vacations in Maine and Cape Cod and he enjoyed deep sea fishing trips every summer. He loved all the Boston sports teams, but his favorite team was the Patriots; he never missed a game and he looked forward to watching games in the company of his family and friends.
Gabriel spent his entire career working in the food service industry. He started as a seafood buyer in what is now the Seaport District of Boston. Later he moved on to working for big chain stores such as Star Market, Stop and Shop and Giant Value as a butcher, meat and store manager. But he always said the best job he ever had was working as a butcher for Valley’s Steak House.
Gabriel and Irene were fortunate to have travelled around the world with trips to Portugal where they met some of his relatives. They also went to San Miguel in the Azores where Irene’s family was from. A lover of cruises, they went to Alaska two times where Gabriel did some salmon fishing but his favorite trip was to Italy, especially falling in love with visiting Rome and the Vatican. Gabriel and Irene also loved Myrtle Beach and Florida where they became “snow birds” in the winter.
Gabriel’s love of country was evident as he loved to fly the American Flag in is front yard; bragging about how great it looked.
Gabriel was a proud man; especially proud of his family; he didn’t have much but he was generous to everyone and was always willing to share what he had. Gabriel’s unconditional love and devotion towards his family and friends never wavered; he would go out of his way to do anything for anyone; always with a smile. Gabriel would tell you that he had a great life, a wonderful family and many good friends; he will forever be in the hearts of those he loved.
Gabriel was the beloved husband of 69 years to the late Irene M. (Branco) Flores, devoted father of Robert Flores & wife Judy of Haverhill, Barbara Ciaramella & husband Peter of Tewksbury, Gene Flores & wife Christine and Nancy Turner & husband David all of Wilmington. Loving Grandfather of Becki & Jon O’Sullivan, Scott & Sarah Flores, Nick & Brittany Ciaramella, Stefanie & Gary Haywood, Michael & Tyler Flores, Jesse Turner & fiance Kelly, Dylan Turner & fiance Harley and Great-Grandchildren Maeve & Finn O’Sullivan, Scotty & Kinley Flores, Hunter Haywood and Wesley Flores. Cherished son of the late Manuel and Gabriella (Costa) Flores, dear brother of Manuel Flores of San Diego, CA, the late Vicki Catalano and William Flores. Gabriel is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Family & friends gathered at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Monday, November 18th at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington at 10:00 a.m. Interment followed in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Visiting Hours were held at the Funeral Home on Sunday, November 17th from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gabriel’s memory may be made to Local Heroes, Inc., P. O. Box 536, Wilmington, MA 01887.
(NOTE: The above obituary is from Nichols Funeral Home.)
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