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The father of Coeur d'Alene Fire Chief Kenny Gabriel - Frank Joseph Gabriel, Sr. passed away on February 15, 2010 surrounded by his family, Frank died at home after a long battle with cancer. He was born on Dec. 23, 1936, in New York, and then moved to Encino, Calif., where he spent most of his childhood. He joined the Air Force and served in the Korean War as a cryptographer stationed in Tripoli, North Africa.

In 1958, he married his sweetheart, Janette. After living in Simi Valley, Calif., Spirit Lake, Idaho, and Portland, Ore., they finally settled in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where Frank became a local business owner at Avis.

Frank spent all of his adult life helping people. He served with the Spirit Lake Fire Department as Fire Chief. More recently, he was a volunteer in the Citizens on Patrol (COP) program at the Coeur d’Alene Police Department. He is also a member of the American Legion Post 14 in Coeur d’Alene.

Frank loved traveling and camping. His favorite places included Banff, Canada, Hawaii and the Oregon Coast.

Frank is survived by his wife of 51 years, Janette H. Gabriel; son and daughter-in-law Frank Jr. and Brenda Gabriel, and son and daughter-in-law Kenny and Wendy Gabriel, all of Coeur d’Alene; his sister, Diane Hawthorne of Redding, Calif.; his grandchildren Magan, Aaron, Ryan, Caitlin and Erin, all of Coeur d’Alene; his great-grandchildren, Cedar, Orion and Flint; numerous nieces and nephews; and special family member Dianne Froehlich of Coeur d’Alene.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, at Coeur d’Alene Bible Church (5350 N. Fourth St.).

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions made to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835, or the American Legion Post 14, 754 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814-3058.

Please visit Frank’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.