Gabe was born Tommie Eugene Thompson to Rose Varvir Thompson and Alexander Eugene Thompson in Kalamazoo Michigan July 17, 1946. Alexander was a Merchant Marine and they moved to Hawaii when Tommie was almost two. He lived and loved Hawaii until the day he died. He was a local boy and always said although he was born in a "zoo" he was raised in Paradise. He moved with his family to Oahu, his biological father traveled frequently with the navy, leaving the family for months at a time and Rose alone to raise four young children. She eventually divorced him, and later remarried Castor Costales, a nurse she met at the hospital where she also worked. They merged two families, later having two of their own for a total of 13 kids living in a small house in Waiau. There are many great stories of hard and fun times during these simpler days but trying times merging a diverse and older family together with the new one. The older Costales children began leaving home, living their own lives, and the blended family then moved to Kailua for many years. Tommie/Gabe enlisted in the Army at age 18 to see the world. He finished basic in 6-weeks, and was dispatched to the Dominican Republic for 3-months. The "world" suddenly became Vietnam. On Christmas Eve 1965 at age 19, he was put on a plane to serve three tours of combat duty from 1965-1968. He was slightly wounded by shrapnel during the TET offensive and returned stateside to serve the rest of his time as a drill instructor in Ft Bragg, North Carolina. He discharged at Fort Dix N.J. and served as a police officer in Elizabeth until returning to Hawaii in 1971. He re-enlisted with the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks serving 1972-1975. He then worked in the tourist trade on Oahu until he moved to California in 1976. He lived with his family in Concord and Modesto California until his death in 2016. He lived in California longer than he ever lived in Hawaii but Hawaii is, and was always, his Home. He missed the islands very much and always hoped to return to live there. He and his family tried briefly in 1977 but there were no jobs, it was so expensive so they sadly had to return to California. Gabe worked for Pacific Bell, now ATT, AC/HVAC construction and asbestos removal, until he retired on full Veterans disability in 1998.

Gabe got his permanent nickname from a close family friend circa fall 1976. His future wife Linda's maiden name was oddly enough Thompson too. His future father-in-law John Thompson, a retired Air Force military man was nicknamed "Tommy" during his service and there was lots of confusing times as a result. Phone calls for "Tommie" were answered by "Tommy". Letters and messages went the same route. Tommie never liked his name and mentioned the considerable problems it presented at this time. Our friend, Joe Vought, said "Well then I'm going to call you Gabriel because you are always blowing your horn" What started as a joke became his preferred name and he never used the name Tommie again officially or otherwise unless you were Ohana. Even then, he'd tell you this story and ask you to call him Gabe.

Gabe made a few trips back to the islands during his days on the mainland and hoped to return regularly when Linda retired. But God had other plans for him and took him to his heavenly home January 2016.

Gabe leaves behind a large, diverse Ohana on the mainland and in the islands and numerous special friends he considered family. He loved each and every one of them with all of his big heart. He will be remembered for his joyful spirit, his generous heart, his love and passion for life and his happy, hearty laugh. We will miss him always.

Peace and Aloha Tommie-Gabe. We will look for your face in the clouds.