OBITUARY FROM LAKEVIEW FUNERAL HOME (LAPORTE, IN) WEBSITE:

Vincent "Vince" Gabriel Obituary

Vincent “Vince” Gabriel III left this world peacefully on December 30, 2025, at 56—no doubt still thinking about whatever project he planned to finish next. 

Born in Gary and raised in Hobart, Vince packed a whole lot of life, love, and horsepower into his years.

He leaves behind his wife, Melissa, his four kids—Cody, Kyle, Stephanie, and Victoria—and his favorite little sidekick, grandson Jaxon. He’s also survived by his father, Vincent Jr., his brother Charles (Courtney), and a lively crew of nieces and nephews. He’s now reunited with his mom, Kathleen, and grandparents, Vincent I and Betty, who surely greeted him with open arms.

A proud Hobart High grad, Vince spent over twenty years at US Steel as a roll grinder, bringing the same precision to his work that he brought to every engine he ever tore apart “just to see what was wrong.” If something was broken, Vince could fix it—cars, appliances, lawnmowers, you name it. And if it wasn’t broken, well… he might take it apart anyway.

He loved dirt racing, classic cars, and collecting finely crafted weapons—basically anything loud, fast, or built with skill. He was sharp, funny, endlessly curious, and always ready with a clever comment or a helping hand.

Vince built a life the same way he built everything else: with care, grit, and a little bit of grease. His stories, his laughter, and his knack for making the impossible work will live on in everyone lucky enough to have known him.

Here’s to Vince—a man who never stopped tinkering, fixing, racing, or loving. His spirit keeps running strong.

Cremation will take place. Graceland Cemetery, 1505 E Morthland Dr., Valparaiso (219) 362-3100, is caring for the arrangements.

Please send condolences to the family at www.LakeviewFHC.com.

This information and the picture below were obtained from: https://www.lakeviewfhc.com/obituaries/Vincent-Vince-Gabriel?obId=46855124.
The picture above was obtained from the 1987 HHS Memories yearbook (when Vince was a junior), made available by the Lake County Public Library, at: https://archive.org/details/HOHS1987Images/. The pictures below were provided by Bill Spiller, Class of 1990.

The pictures below were provided by Bill Spiller, Class of 1990.