Richard F. Gabriel

RICHARD F. GABRIEL, of Southbury, Connecticut, formerly of Bridgewater, Connecticut and New York City passed away, on January 11, 2018 at the age of 93.

In 1943, at age 18, he was drafted in the U.S. Army and sent to active duty in France and Germany in World War II.  In 1946, after he was discharged from the Army, he attended Yale University as a Fine Art major. He continued to be interested in art and painting throughout his life. Upon his graduation from Yale University, he worked in the toy industry at Sam’l Gabriel Sons & Co., an educational book and toy company started by his grandfather in 1910. When the company was sold, Dick helped develop a sales representative business in the toy and leisure products industries and was co-owner of the company with his brother Bertram for more than 25 years. 

Moving from Manhattan to Bridgewater, Connecticut, in the early 1970s, Dick became interested in real estate and bought several two- and three- family houses in Litchfield County as an investment. He wrote an article about his real estate experiences, which appeared in The New York Times. The article attracted the attention of the publishing firm Prentice-Hall, Inc. and they asked him to write a how-to book about his real estate ventures. The success of his first book led Prentice-Hall to ask Dick to write three more how-to guide books about his experience as a real estate novice. His last book, How to Buy Your Own House When You Don’t Have Enough Money! , was very successful and two editions were published.

             After 43 years in Bridgewater, he and his wife moved to Pomperaug Woods in 2007, a life-care retirement community in Southbury, Connecticut. Dick was active in community service there, serving on the Resident Council, the Marketing Committee, and the Finance Committee.

Dick is survived by his wife, Faith and their two children, Suzanne and Steven and two grandchildren, Eric and Caroline. Services will be at the convenience of the family. Munson Lovetere Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. To leave a condolence for the family please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com

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