Gabriel Miller Obituary

Hello,



It has been a year now since I last saw Gabe and almost a year since his passing. I was hoping to get a hold of his family to see how they are doing and only know this website as a means of doing so. I still miss Gabe terribly as I am sure his family does as well. I wanted them to know that my memories of him are one of my primary motivations for succeeding in the field of social work. I was one of his undergraduate classmates at Colorado State and had the privilege of knowing Gabe and his unique brand of the work in which we both engaged. He was and still remains an inspiration to me because of his determination to make a difference in society in any way that he humanly could. It is difficult to find such a person as Gabe in social work. Many times ambition, burn out or lack of inspiration takes hold of social workers during the course of their schooling/careers, often replacing the original passion with which we first approach the helping profession. I never saw that in Gabe. No matter how frustrated or bogged down he became in his work he never lost sight of why he wanted to become a social worker in the first place; to uplift the human spirit by assisting in improving the human condition all the way from the individual to society as a whole.



I hope to continue perpetuating this most admirable quality of Gabe’s in my own work. At times I find it difficult to do so, but I will not give up because I know that Gabe would not have. I am returning to do my Graduate work either this fall or next and wanted to let his family know how much of my applying to graduate school was inspired by Gabe’s spirit and passion that we shared in common for helping people. I’m still not sure what Gabe personally thought of me because letting people know those kinds of things was not important to him (this much I know), but I considered Gabe one of my best and closest friends. I hope that I can live up to his memory by continuing my personal life’s journey and moving onward in our field.



I send my best to all his family and friends at this time because, for me, around the year’s end I will always be reminded that I miss Gabe so much and wish to honor his name.

Dear Alan and Judy, We were so sorry to hear about Gabe. I can picture you, Judy, pregnant, with Danielle and Jessica nearby; it sure doesn't seem very long ago. He gave a great deal of pleasure to friends and family as he developed into the caring young man you spoke about. I know nothing anyone says can allieviate the hurt and sadness you feel, but please know that we are thinking of you. Love, Barbara and Stu.

Dear Miller family,

I am so sorry about Gabe. He was such a beautiful person inside and out. He has been one of my great friends since I was a freshman in high school and he was a senior. Many friendshave come and gone over the years, but I had always made sure to keep "Gabey-baby" in my life. I have many fond memories of gabe. We lived together for about a year while he was finishing up at CSU and I will never forget his 22nd birthday party or my first day in Fort Collins when he went to Beau Jo's with me and my family for dinner and than showing me around town. I will also never forget the many times gabe came up to Fort Collins to visit us, especially little Kaya. I will never forget the many smiles that he brought to her face. He was always there for me as I was for him. He will be greatly missed be myself, my boyfriend Matt and our daughter Kaya. the memories of Gabe that we all have will forever live on in our hearts and souls. your family is in our thoughts and prayers and if there is anything we can do, don't hesitate to ask.

love always, marleyna, matt and baby kaya.

From conversations at work, especially coming back from community organizing meetings, I knew Gabe to be someone who had a rare sense of human dignity, a scope of the questions and working answers of life, and a presence that was as at-home with jokes and humor as with sadness and tragedy. Which we saw daily in our line of work, which is prisoner re-entry. Gabe encouraged our ex-offender program to have some tangible way to measure people's progress, and his ideas led to this pastor's reflection on the crossing of the Jordan from the book of Joshua. Gabe commented on how stones lifted from the middle of the river formed a 'memorial,' not of tragedy, but of hope. He said, "Isn't that interesting?" And he got to work on a participant self-evaluation, so that folks could memorialize their own successes and pitfalls. He was always thinking, even when he was chilling, standing around smoking a cigarette. The task that he set himself was to bring prisoners' voices into the task of criminal justice reform. He had just begun these conversations...

I have two very fond memories of Gabe that I will never forget. The first occured when I was at home in highschool watching the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Jay was doing a skit where he interviews people on the street. All of the sudden who is he interviewing but Gabe! It was so random and so funny to see Gabe in the middle of LA with Jay Leno.



The second memory is from one Purim at Beth El. I dont remember what anyone else was wearing but I remember Gabe was decked out in full Elvis regalia. Every Purim since then I remember how Gabe looked and I look for the same outfit for myself. If I find that outfit one day, I know it wont be the same as when Gabe wore it. He pulled it off in a way that few people can.



Hamacom yinechem etchem bitoch shaar ohvelei tziyone viyerushalyim

I knew Gabe as my fraternity brother and friend. It's been a while since I've spoken with him, but when I think back to the amazing memories I had in college, he is a part of them. I remember Gabe as an extremely giving and loyal person. He will be missed, and I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to his family and anyone who had the honor of having Gabe Miller as a part of their lives.

Gabe we love you so much. Colorado will never be the same without you. Thankyou for being such a wonderful friend. I am missing you, and will always remember you.

May the words found at Rev 21:4 give your family comfort to know that God promises to bring an end to tears and death will be no more. Our prayers are with you.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Miller,

Gabe was such a wonderful friend. I will miss him more than I can ever express. My heart and thoughts are with you.

Gabe was in many of my Social Work classes when I first started at DU. Like me, he had also attended CSU and knew some of the professors there. I found his smile sweet and everytime he did smile, it made me think that he knew some little secret that no one else knew. He had a sense of himself I don't think he even knew he had. I know he will be missed in our class and there will always be a hole that cannot be filled. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Judy & Family: I was so sorry to read about Gabe. Such heartbreak is beyond bearing. I recall Gabe when he accompanied Harry down to our office in the SunTimes. Those two guys were such good buddies and Harry was so proud of him. (You know he was proud of all his kids.) I hope the knowledge of Gabe's continuing love for you, along with all your happy memories, will provide some small consolation.

Dear Miller family,

Words cannot express the sorrow that I feel for you in your time of grief. While I only knew Gabe for several months, we had grown to become good friends. His well-thought out ideas and opinions were valued highly by myself and probably many others in his life. His warmth and easygoing, non-judgemental, funny, caring personality are just some of the things that I will miss as I remember Gabe in the future. But he will continue to be with me for the rest of my life in spirit and as a mentor in many ways, especially reminding me to put the needs of others up front often, and consider them when making decisions and acting. May you find the strength to endure this pain and continue on with your lives.

I feel so blessed to have been a part of Gabriel’s life. Gabe was a selfless person in every way and gave his whole self to everything he did from his friendships to his social causes. I cannot place my finger on when or how we met but I’m sure it was somewhere in between the social work classes and my time spent at AEPi. We had many fun times together and I enjoyed the few months that I got to live with him at Bradley during the summer of 2001. Thank you to the Miller family for sharing your stories of Gabe with me and allowing me to do the same. I know that Gabe touched many more lives besides mine and will continue to do wonderful things even though he is not here with us. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers forever.

I'd like to extend my deepest sympathy and regrets to the entire Miller family. It's unfortunate that I haven't spoken to Gabe in quite some time, but in his time at Bradley University, he quickly became a very close fraternity brother of mine. A great friend to me, one to others as well, he is still forever there; for eternity. His accomplishments were acknowledged and his company was always welcomed. From the past to now, he is always forever in memory.

Dear Miller Family,
I want to extend my most sincere condolences to your family for your loss. I knew Gabe to be a truly benevolent soul and trusted and valued friend. My thoughts are with you in this difficult time.

Judy, Alan, and daughters,

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Gabe's passing. Please know that my deepest sympathy is with you at this time.

Dear Miller family,



I would like to extend my deepest sympathy. Gabe was a good kind hearted person with the best of intentions. I had the privilege of knowing Gabe while in Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity. Gabe was a good brother and a good person. He always had kind things to say about others and in turn everyone had good things to say about him. He will be missed by many. My prayers and thoughts are with you in this sad time.

To the Family of Gabe Miller,

Our sincerest thoughts are with you on the sudden loss of your son. There are no words comforting enough to say right now, escept I am so so sorry to hear of Gaves sudden death. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.

Dear Miller Family,

I was very saddened to hear of Gabe's passing. I've known Gabe for years as we went to Hebrew School and Hebrew High School together at Beth El. He was always a very funny and kind person, and I will deeply miss him. I know Gabe will be missed by so many people, but I also know that his good nature will continue to inspire us all. My deepest sympathy and condolences to your entire family. You will all be in my prayers.

Mr. & Mrs. Miller,

I wanted to extend my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Gabe was a tremendous man and a very funny individual. We lost touch over the past years but he will always be a part of my life.

Dear Judy,

My heart goes out to you and your family. I know that Gabe and his beautiful soul,as so very eloquently described by his father, Alan yesterday, will live on with you and Alan, his sisters, Ethan and Gabe's wonderful friends for all eternity. May God bless you and watch over you all in your time of sorrow.

Gabe was one of few people i knew that was unconditionally friendly to anybody he encountered. I got to know him while going through pledgeship in Alpha Epsilon Pi at Bradley University. Unfortunately, some of us lost touch with him when he transfered to Colorado. However, I know that all of us have many great memories with him and we will all miss him deeply.

Gabe was a true to friend to me for the short time we spent together at Bradley. My deepest sympathy to his family.

He will be missed.

There are not enough words to describe the characteristics that Gabe had. A true man in every sense comes to mind. With all of the kindness Gabe gave to the world through is warm heart, there is no doubt now that he was needed in heaven. Only Gabe could possibly have thought to go down to WGN studios to get me an autographed picture of Tom Skilling for my birthday. I regret that I had not talked to Gabe in about six months. I will truly, truly miss watching him continue to make a difference in so many lives as he had already begun to. My thoughts and prayers will stay with the Miller family through this tragic time.

Mr and Mrs Miller,

I knew of your son breifly, passing him in the hallways in High School, sharing simple classes, all that knew him will greatly miss him.

My deepest sympathies to your family and friends. I was friends with Gabe in junior high and have very fond memories of his intelligence, great sense of humor, and spunky friendliness. My thoughts are with you.

Dear Judy and Alan,

My deepest sympathies on the sudden loss of your son Gabriel. I know no words can translate the feelings of losing a son, nor words can express your sadness at such a sudden loss.

May his memory be a beacon for years to come.

Renee and Marvin Bearak

Gabe, you were a true brother. I will miss you.

Dear Alan, Judy, Danielle and Jessica - My heart aches for you and although I cannot truly know the depths of your sorrow my thoughts and prayers are with you today and always. Gabe was a kind and caring soul who wanted to make a career of helping others. This commands much respect and admiration. Love, Cousin Susan, Jason and Lainey Grace.

My heart and thoughts go out to Gabe's family at this time. Gabe was indeed a powerful individual with strong convictions. We met in undergraduate school where we connected on many levels and had been fast friends ever since.



His sense of social justice and and his gentle, sweet nature were surpassed by none I've ever met. Deep in my heart, I always thought that this rare combination of clear conviction combined with unmatched empathy for the human condition would take Gabe far in life. I really thought he could do anything he wanted with these gifts. I will keep him in my heart for the rest of my life and miss him dearly. Again, my thoughts are with his family in this time of loss. May all remember him with fondness and love.

You have my deepest sympathy at this sad time. Your whole family are in my prayers.

Dear Miller Family,



We were shocked and saddened to learn of Gabe's passing. Jessica and I have been friends for many years, from Beth El to High School, to Hewitt Associates. I remember when Gabe was born, how much joy he brought to your family; he will be missed.



You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Please accept my deepest condolence on the loss of your dear son. It has been years since I have seen you, Judy, when you and your older daughter visited us in San Diego. I share your loss because my youngest child also died at the age of 20. May your good memories of your son live on, as I know they will.

Karen (Kamins) Forster

It is a parents worst nightmare to lose a child and only those that have lost one can understand the immense grief. The reasons for the loss are irrelevant as the pain is the same. Having lost my 23-year old son a few months ago I share your loss as it re-opens the wound. Our family extends to your family its deepest sympathy at the loss of your Gabe may he be an eternal memory in the lives of all he touched.

Judy -- I'm so sorry to hear about your son!! My thoughts are with you and your family in this time of sorrow.



I can't go to the funeral but I'll try to pay a shiva call on Tues.

Gabe was a wonderful person and he will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathy to the Miller family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Respectfully submitted by Shelley and Mike

I met Gabe my first semseter of graduate school at DU. I've been lucky enough to have classes with him ever since as he made them all worthwhile with his sense of humor and incredible insight to the field of social work. i'm going to miss seeing him walk across campus with his bag of pistachio nuts...but most of all i will miss his smile, his laughter, and the way he made you feel when you were in his presence.

I've known Gabe since we met in transitional first grade. He was always fun to hang out with, a funny guy that had a humorous view of everything, and we was extremely insightful. Even if you weren't a good friend of his he was one of the friendliest and most down to earth guys I knew. I saw him grow up and it's a tragedy his life was cut short. I will cherish every memory.