Obituary for Nathan Benjamin "Nate" Gable
Nathan Benjamin Gable age 80, of Sewell passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2019. He was born in Danville, PA to the late Whitfield Gable and Minnie (Lovell). After serving in the US Navy, Nate turned to what would be a lifelong passion – music. He studied instrumental and vocal music, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Temple University. Throughout his life, Nate was able to meld his interests into a successful career. As a teenager, he trained in printing which enabled him to become a linotype operator, hot metal type setter, and proofreader. He had great affection for the written word and an appreciation for the visual presentation of printed text. He furthered his education in the graphic arts and computer sciences, performing so highly in his coursework that he was taken on as an adjunct instructor and was later was elected as the President of Mac User Group of Southern NJ for many years.
Nate was an accomplished tenor, well known within the Philadelphia area. Regarding his active singing career, Nate was a member of the Philadelphia Singers, Philadelphia Opera Company Chorus, and Pennsylvania Pro Musica. A highly sought and admired tenor, Nate performed as a professional soloist throughout Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, appearing in high profile recitals and numerous liturgical settings.
Nate rekindled his love of the trombone joining the Original Hobo Band where he became an assistant conductor, parade director, and webmaster. He also played his trombone for the Salem County Brass Society, Tri-County Symphonic Band, and John Walter Cape Band. Concurrent with his hectic performing schedule, Nate worked for Washington Township School District as their “Mac Man” and Webmaster, retiring in 2013 after 15 years of service.
In “retirement,” Nate continued to expand his instrumental endeavors, performing at least 5 nights a week, getting out of his wife’s hair. He was also involved with the American Littoral Society where he participated in efforts to restore the natural habitat and to promote wildlife conservation on the Delaware Bay. He was an avid animal lover and enjoyed cultivating his vegetable and flower gardens, especially his beloved roses and delicious tomatoes. Nate was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church where he was a lector and musician, and where he felt he had a home.
Nate enjoyed life to the fullest. He made the happiness of everyone around him his mission; his greatest joy was his family. He never met a stranger he couldn’t (or didn’t!) talk to…and he had a heart of gold - even if it drove everyone crazy! Friends and family knew him to be incredibly thoughtful, self-sacrificing, and at all times, loving and forgiving. He will be sorely missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to have crossed his path.
Nate is survived by his wife, Diana D'Alesio Gable; children, Laurie Gable Turner (Chip) of Orlando, FL, David Gable (Kristin) of Charlotte, NC, Mirella Gable, of Oklahoma City, OK and Elena Gable of Red Bank, NJ; sister, Peggy Lawson (Geoff) of Phila., PA, and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Family and Friends are welcome to witness Military Honors for Nate at Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 240 N. Tuckahoe Rd., Williamstown, NJ on Friday, December 13th at 12:00 PM. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 11:30 AM. On Saturday December 14th, a visitation hour will be held at 10:00 AM followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 AM at St. John's Episcopal Church, 76 Market Street, Salem, NJ. Reception to follow. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Nate’s memory to one of the following programs: St. John's Episcopal Church, American Littoral Society, Original Hobo Band Youth Scholarship, or Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
Nate was an accomplished tenor, well known within the Philadelphia area. Regarding his active singing career, Nate was a member of the Philadelphia Singers, Philadelphia Opera Company Chorus, and Pennsylvania Pro Musica. A highly sought and admired tenor, Nate performed as a professional soloist throughout Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, appearing in high profile recitals and numerous liturgical settings.
Nate rekindled his love of the trombone joining the Original Hobo Band where he became an assistant conductor, parade director, and webmaster. He also played his trombone for the Salem County Brass Society, Tri-County Symphonic Band, and John Walter Cape Band. Concurrent with his hectic performing schedule, Nate worked for Washington Township School District as their “Mac Man” and Webmaster, retiring in 2013 after 15 years of service.
In “retirement,” Nate continued to expand his instrumental endeavors, performing at least 5 nights a week, getting out of his wife’s hair. He was also involved with the American Littoral Society where he participated in efforts to restore the natural habitat and to promote wildlife conservation on the Delaware Bay. He was an avid animal lover and enjoyed cultivating his vegetable and flower gardens, especially his beloved roses and delicious tomatoes. Nate was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church where he was a lector and musician, and where he felt he had a home.
Nate enjoyed life to the fullest. He made the happiness of everyone around him his mission; his greatest joy was his family. He never met a stranger he couldn’t (or didn’t!) talk to…and he had a heart of gold - even if it drove everyone crazy! Friends and family knew him to be incredibly thoughtful, self-sacrificing, and at all times, loving and forgiving. He will be sorely missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to have crossed his path.
Nate is survived by his wife, Diana D'Alesio Gable; children, Laurie Gable Turner (Chip) of Orlando, FL, David Gable (Kristin) of Charlotte, NC, Mirella Gable, of Oklahoma City, OK and Elena Gable of Red Bank, NJ; sister, Peggy Lawson (Geoff) of Phila., PA, and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Family and Friends are welcome to witness Military Honors for Nate at Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 240 N. Tuckahoe Rd., Williamstown, NJ on Friday, December 13th at 12:00 PM. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 11:30 AM. On Saturday December 14th, a visitation hour will be held at 10:00 AM followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 AM at St. John's Episcopal Church, 76 Market Street, Salem, NJ. Reception to follow. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Nate’s memory to one of the following programs: St. John's Episcopal Church, American Littoral Society, Original Hobo Band Youth Scholarship, or Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery.