Gabriel Frank Verdoni, 90, of Franklin, WV went to be with his Lord on Monday, July 5, 2021 while at the home of his daughter in Brandywine, West Virginia, with family by his side.

"Gabe" was born October 9, 1930 in Jersey City, New Jersey, and was the son and youngest of four boys of the late Antonio and Anna Renz Verdoni.  He always held his Jersey City roots close to his heart, and his fondest memories growing up were of spending time at his parents' store during the Great Depression.

Gabe met the love of his life, Jean, on a blind date, and they married on April 14, 1954.

He was a man of many trades, from selling stockings out of the trunk of his car to owning and operating a grocery store in Garwood, New Jersey for many years.  His greatest passion that he was involved with even into retirement was working in the produce and shrubbery business.  He operated several produce stands and sold wholesale to businesses.  Later in life he became a licensed real estate broker, operating Gabriel Realty for many years before his retirement. Gabe did whatever it took to support his large family and the children all participated.

In his younger years, Gabe loved to hunt with his dogs.  He enjoyed playing pinochle and betting on the horses at the track.  He had a deep connection to his Italian heritage, loved his pasta, and enjoyed listening to Italian music. Gabe was a man of deep faith, was an avid gardener and looked forward to planting his garden every year. There was never a friend that he didn't make, and he was loved and respected by all.  For Gabe, his greatest accomplishment in life was his family.

When he started coming to Pendleton County in the early 2000s to visit his son, he developed a love for the area, eventually building a vacation home in Franklin, and becoming a permanent resident here in 2013.  His heart remained deep rooted in New Jersey, but he loved West Virginia too.

Left behind to cherish his memory are –

His wife of 67 years, Barbara "Jean" (Bedell) Verdoni

Three sons –

Mark (& wife, Debbie) Verdoni of Sugar Grove, WV

Matthew (& wife, Carmen) Verdoni of Howell, NJ

David (& wife, Melissa) Verdoni of Brick, NJ

Four daughters –

Kimberly Hulmes of Brandywine

Nancy (& husband, Vini) Bruno of Lakewood, NJ

Laura (& husband, Gerald) Zungri of Brick, NJ

Susan (& husband, Paul) Belmont of Sugar Grove, WV

Twenty-one grandchildren – Anthony Verdoni; Vinnie Verdoni and fiancée, Amber; Lisa Yakow and husband, Erik; Robert and Crystal Hulmes; Theresa Bruno and her fiancée, John; Vincent Bruno; Gabrielle Buchholz and husband, Justin; Carly Romano and husband, Matthew; Brooke Haden; Nicholas and Amanda Verdoni; Tyler Verdoni and his fiancée, Melanie; Ryder and Spencer Verdoni; Hope, Christian, Faith, Grace, Mercy and Josiah Belmont

Twelve great-grandchildren

And three nephews in New Jersey

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Angelo, Johnny and Emil Verdoni and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 10, 2021 in the chapel of the Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin with Rev. Mike Loudermilk officiating.

Inurnment will follow at Sugar Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sugar Grove Rescue Squad, 124 Black Thorn Road, Sugar Grove, WV  26815.