Obituary of Donald W. Gabianelli

Donald William Gabianelli passed away on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 in Crossville, Tennessee. Born in Bridgeport, CT on July 2, 1927, he was the devoted son of the late Emily and Joseph Gabianelli, beloved brother of Harold R. Gabianelli of Bridgeport and the late Joseph J. Gabianelli of Milford and Vincent J. Gabianelli of Gainesville, Florida. Following his graduation from Harding High School, he pursued his life-long ambition to be an electrician. After serving his apprenticeship and securing his journeyman license from the City of Bridgeport, he worked in the area for a few years and received a call to work in Alaska where he remained for over 50 years before retiring to his mountaintop home in Tennessee. During his time in Alaska, he worked on the Early Warning Radar System from Point Barrow to the Aleutian Islands, as well as the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and other infrastructure projects in remote areas and islands and received his 30 year pin from the I.B.E.W. He was a devoted family man, who loved the outdoors and sports. Many an afternoon when he was "home" in between projects, he would be at Beardsley Park with his nieces and nephews feeding the animals, sledding or playing catch. He was their "Favorite" sitter as he would fall asleep before them, so they would end up watching him. He was always there with a helping hand for anyone. He was what you would call a cool calm and collective individual with an adventuresome spirit but his family always came first. He was beloved by those that knew him and will be greatly missed. He is also survived by his cherished nieces and nephews: Barbara A. Gabianelli, William J. Gabianelli, Diane M. Martin, Donna M. Springer, Nancy A. Gabianelli, Susan L. Danneker, Mary E. Robinson, Kathy A. Murphy, Vincent J. Gabianelli, Jr. and Laura A. Maggio as well as 15 great nieces and nephews and three great-great nieces and nephews. All funeral services will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. To leave an online condolence, visit us at www.abriola.com.