Gabriel Anthony "Gabe" Sciarretti

After 91 years of blessings, Gabriel Anthony Sciarretti of Dover passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. Gabe was born into a large faith-filled Italian immigrant family on June 22, 1935, in Follansbee, WV in the Ohio Steel Valley, to the late Nicola & Emma (Nazionale) Sciarretti. The second of five children, Gabe learned the values of Sunday Mass, family values, thrift, and hard work. He adored his parents and greatly admired what it took for them to stake out a life in the New World. It was this grit and determination that Gabe took with him into the classroom and onto the gridiron. As the recipient of thirteen college scholarships, Gabe chose to play football for the Xavier Musketeers - perhaps one of the last fullback-kicker combos this world will ever know. Gabe chose Xavier University for both its 1950 Salad (Fiesta) Bowl win, as well as at the persuasive coaxing of Bishop John King Museo, founder of the Steubenville diocese. Gabe deeply loved his siblings, Rita (Dolfo) Ficca, Mary (Geno) Santangelo, Mario (Julie) Sciarretti, and Vickie (Albert) Ross, with a mutual life-long commitment to be together on holidays, anniversaries and special occasions.

Being true to his name, which means Strong Man of God, Gabe served the Lord his entire life. The hallmark being the best 63 years serving his loving and devoted wife, Donna (Bolock) Sciarretti. The couple, who met at a Bobby Vinton concert in Steubenville, OH, would go on to live over 55 years in Dover, Ohio, where they would raise their 6 children in the faith and on the plentiful harvest from his abundant garden. His garden was homage to his father, made up of the garlic brought from his ancestral land in Abruzzo, Italy, a tradition that continues to flourish in our family gardens today.

Gabe worked over 40 years as a Manufacturing Engineer for American companies in the height of their zenith: RCA Aerospace, Goodyear Aerospace, Westinghouse, and Emerson Corporation. The couple was committed to sending all of their children through Catholic schooling, spending many of their weeks volunteering and attending athletic and special events. This foundation of love now extends over four generations branching into Regina (Mark) Ceneviva of Granville, Gabe (Chris) Sciarretti of Cuyahoga Falls, John (Lori) Sciarretti of New Philadelphia, Matt (Cathy) Sciarretti of Centerville, Monica (Frank) Buss of New Philadelphia, and Joe (Sarah) Sciarretti of Canton, as well as their 23 grandchildren, Rachael (Matthew), Meghan, Gabriel (Brooke), Luke, Emma (Sam), Lilia, Dominic (Sophia), Abigail (Beau), Nicholas, Anna (Easton), Leonardo, Paul, John Anthony, Matthew, Gina, Avae, Julia, Thomas, Vincent, Patrick, Samuel, Mary Clare, Michael; 5 great grandchildren. Carmela, Gabriel, Sophia, Amelia & Rosie. A life of blessings of true variety. As it is written, the couple was "meant to be". 

In addition to his parents, Gabe was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Mario & Julie Sciarretti, & brothers-in-law, Dolfo Ficca & Geno Santangelo. 

A very special thank you to Fr. Jeff Coning, who has become a part of our family, but also a source of faith, comfort & guidance throughout the years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gabe's name can be made to Tuscarawas Central Catholic Jr/Sr High School, 777 3rd St NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, or The Care Team Hospice, 238 Front Ave., New Philadelphia, OH 44663. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Dover St. Joseph Catholic Church on Monday, November 16 at 11:00 am with Father Jeff Coning, Father William Metzger, Father William Arnold, and Father Jimmy Hatfield officiating. Interment will follow in St. Joseph's Calvary Cemetery, Dover. Following the service of committal, a meal will be served at the Cathy Hamilton Parrish Hall at Sacred Heart Church. Visitation hours will be held at Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, 803 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, Ohio, Sunday, November 15, 2- 5 p.m., with a Vigil Service held at 4:30 pm. To sign the online guestbook for Gabe, visit the obituary link on the funeral home's website.