Maynard "Dip" Gabriel Passes Away

[JAM]

Anybody who's traveled the Joss Northeast 9-Ball tournament trail in past years has probably run into Maynard "Dip" Gabriel. He enjoyed pool immensely and did everything within his power to keep pool alive and well in his neck of the woods.

Maynard Gabriel was a member of the Turtle Clan and a retired Oneida ironworker. In times gone by, he performed a comedy act that featured jokes and humorous stories from his experiences with friends at the nearby Onondaga Nation. Dip would always play to the youngsters in the crowd, using no profanity and certain "clean" words guaranteed to make them laugh.

The first time I met Dip was at Country Club USA pool room in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. It was one of my first tournaments "on the road," so to speak. I didn't know very many pool folk up in that region, and while my boyfriend was competing, most times I sat alone on the rail sweating the matches, pulling him in. :smile:

Up walks this large Native American man, and he plopped himself right next to me. We got to talking, and I took an immediate liking to him, since I'm part Cherokee. When he found out I was part Native American, he began to tell me some jokes. He had me in stitches. One thing for sure, I found a kindred soul, a friend that I could always hang out with when I was in "Joss Tribal Nation." That's what we used to call it! :thumbup:

I am extremely sad this morning to learn of his passing. I haven't seen Dip in a couple years, and now I will never see him again, but he will always have soft spot in my heart. May his spirit rest in peace. The Joss Turning Stone events won't be the same for me without seeing Dip there dressed to the nines. He knew how much I enjoyed taking pictures, and he'd come up to me and say, "Wait until you see my outfit tomorrow. You must get this picture." I loved Dip, and I will miss him terribly. :frown:

Here's one picture page I have of Joss Turning Stone with Dip handing out the trophy to Thorsten Hohmann:

Page 1 - http://www.hometown.aol.com/jamalloy/2006turningstone.html
Page 2 - http://www.hometown.aol.com/jamalloy/2006turningstonepage2.html

Dip, may the great Creator welcome you. Your spirit will live forever in our hearts. Rest in peace, my friend! :smile:

JAM

 

[JAM]

May the Warm Winds of Heaven
Blow softly upon your house.

May the Great Spirit
Bless all who enter there.

May your Mocassins
Make happy tracks in many snows,

and may the Rainbow
Always touch your shoulder.

 

[JAM]

Thorsten receiving his trophy from Dip.

JAM

 

[JAM]

For those interested, here is the obit: http://obits.syracuse.com/Syracuse/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=116484800


August 25, 2008 Maynard "Dip" Gabriel, 67, of the Onondaga Nation, died Monday at home. He was an Oneida/Mohawk and a member of the Turtle Clan. Dip was a structural engineer with Local 440 in Utica, retiring in 1996 after 30 years. He was very proud of being a bridgeman and a Native American iron worker. He was also a well-known professional comedian. He enjoyed billiards at CAPS, lacrosse, making Native American jewelry, arts and crafts and spending time with his family. He is survived by his children, Raun (Lindsay) Gabriel of Onondaga Hill, Darien Gabriel of Syracuse and Joshua Johns of Buffalo; stepchildren, Shawn (Mary) Darrow of LaFayette and Kalen (Matt) St. Dennis of Syracuse; his ex-wife, Darlene Darrow; brother, Lawrence Gabriel of Munnsville; sisters, Helen Jones of Onondaga Nation and Rosella Peters of Oneida; eight grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Ralph and Elizabeth (Thomas) Gabriel; a brother, Richard Powless; and a sister, Sarah Stout. Funeral service will be noon Friday at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, Syracuse. Calling hours will be 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, 4612 S. Salina Street. Please light a candle in memory of Dip at www.ballweg-lunsford.com Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home Helping You make the right choices.

JAM

 

[cardiac kid]

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend "Dip". Through the too few years I knew him, he made me laugh hard enough to turn my joy to tears. He taught me to respect my Native American friends. I never saw sadness on his face. Always that Cheshire Cat grin. I will miss him.

Lyn

 

[JAM]

I will miss him too, Lynn. The news of his passing has really affected me today. I just can't seem to concentrate on my work.

BTW, I spelled his name wrong on the TITLE of this thread. It is not "Gip," for anyone who caught the typo. "Dip" was his nickname.

The software of this forum will NOT let me correct the TITLE of this thread from "GIP" to "DIP."

JAM

 

[Fatboy]

thats terrible, I never heard of him before, but one thing you mentioned is "Clean" comedy, thats so much harder to make funny than using profanity. Anyone that can do that is head and shoulders above more talented than the others who dont. My friend opens for Seinfield and taught me that.

Its terrible when we lose anyone in pool as there arnt many people comming into pool I wish his loves onesthe best and give all who knew him my sincerest condolences, thanks JAM, I real the links and learned about him. I wish I had met him.

sincerlly

eric

 

[HeLLFiSH]

no way, I just saw him at Caps and turning stone two weeks ago. I saw him at SBE as well, he was recruiting for the turning stone tournament. Sad to hear about his passing.

 

[cardiac kid]

I wish I had met him.eric

Eric, you did meet him. You obviously love the game of pool as he did. It may have been in spirit only, but you met him.

Lyn

 

[JAM]

Sign this book in his memory: http://www.ballweg-lunsford.com/?p=obituary_view&id=10000022

To write a message, click on "Light a candle by adding your thoughts...." in the above link. Then write the message, and your candle in Dip's memory will be lit!

Maynard "Dip" Gabriel, 67, of the Onondaga Nation, died Monday, August 25, 2008 at home. He was an Oneida/Mohawk and a member of the Turtle Clan. Dip was a structural engineer with Local 440 in Utica, retiring 1996 after 30 years. He was very proud of being a bridgeman and a Native American iron worker. He was also a well known professional comedian. He enjoyed billiards at CAPS, lacrosse, making Native American jewelry, arts and crafts and spending time with his family.

Dip is survived by his children, Raun (Lindsay) Gabriel of Onondaga Hill, New York, Darien Gabriel of Syracuse, New York and Joshua Johns of Buffalo, New York; stepchildren, Shawn (Mary) Darrow of LaFayette, New York and Kalen (Matt) St. Dennis of Syracuse, New York; his ex-wife, Darlene Darrow; brother, Lawrence Gabriel of Munnsville, New York; sisters, Helen Jones of the Onondaga Nation and Rosella Peters of Oneida, New York; eight grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Ralph and Elizabeth (Thomas) Gabriel; a brother, Richard Powless and a sister, Sarah Stout.

Funeral Service: Friday, August 29, 2008, 12:00 noon at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, 4612 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, New York.

Calling Hours: Thursday, August 28, 2008, 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, 4612 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, New York.

JAM

 

[pushinfaders]

Dip was a great guy...He gets a lot of the credit for bringing Billiards to Turning Stone..

He'll be missed

 

[pocketspeed]

i didnt know him personally but saw him many times at the turningstone tournies. just saw him two weeks ago. he didnt look sick at all. he did a great job telling the "pots and pans" story. i know he was a strong supporter of pool. i get the feeling he was the driving force behind the great joss ne tournies there. if joss ne is able to continue to hold their excellent events there without his support maybe they'll change the name to the maynard "dip" gabriel memorial tournament? it would be a fitting tribute.

brian

 

[railfirst]

i didnt know him personally but saw him many times at the turningstone tournies. just saw him two weeks ago. he didnt look sick at all. he did a great job telling the "pots and pans" story. i know he was a strong supporter of pool. i get the feeling he was the driving force behind the great joss ne tournies there. if joss ne is able to continue to hold their excellent events there without his support maybe they'll change the name to the maynard "dip" gabriel memorial tournament? it would be a fitting tribute.

brian

i agree and this was the one of the first things that crossed my mind when reading the OP, change the name from the TS Classic To the Maynard "Dip" Gabriel Memorial.
Just a thought for you to pass along to Mike, Dana.
Ben

 

[Gunn_Slinger]

i agree and this was the one of the first things that crossed my mind when reading the OP, change the name from the TS Classic To the Maynard "Dip" Gabriel Memorial.
Just a thought for you to pass along to Mike, Dana.
Ben

I think that is a very nice idea.

 

[Joe P.]

I think that would be a fantastic tribute. Maynard was afantastic guy who always kept us laughing...hell he made it worth the entry fee! I feel fortunate to have had the pleasure of knowing him.

 

[SUPERSTAR]

Always a smile on his face.
Always kind words from his mouth.

One of the NICEST guys i ever met.
That big smile of his would instantly brighten my day.

He will be missed.

 

[JAM]

Sign this book in his memory: http://www.ballweg-lunsford.com/?p=obituary_view&id=10000022

To write a message, click on "Light a candle by adding your thoughts...." in the above link. Then write the message, and your candle in Dip's memory will be lit!

Maynard "Dip" Gabriel, 67, of the Onondaga Nation, died Monday, August 25, 2008 at home. He was an Oneida/Mohawk and a member of the Turtle Clan. Dip was a structural engineer with Local 440 in Utica, retiring 1996 after 30 years. He was very proud of being a bridgeman and a Native American iron worker. He was also a well known professional comedian. He enjoyed billiards at CAPS, lacrosse, making Native American jewelry, arts and crafts and spending time with his family.

Dip is survived by his children, Raun (Lindsay) Gabriel of Onondaga Hill, New York, Darien Gabriel of Syracuse, New York and Joshua Johns of Buffalo, New York; stepchildren, Shawn (Mary) Darrow of LaFayette, New York and Kalen (Matt) St. Dennis of Syracuse, New York; his ex-wife, Darlene Darrow; brother, Lawrence Gabriel of Munnsville, New York; sisters, Helen Jones of the Onondaga Nation and Rosella Peters of Oneida, New York; eight grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Ralph and Elizabeth (Thomas) Gabriel; a brother, Richard Powless and a sister, Sarah Stout.

Funeral Service: Friday, August 29, 2008, 12:00 noon at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, 4612 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, New York.

Calling Hours: Thursday, August 28, 2008, 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, 4612 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, New York.

JAM

Don't forget to light a candle for Dip on the above-referenced link.

I want his entire family to know how much Maynard Gabriel was loved in our pool community. I wish I could drive up to Syracuse to show my appreciation for the opportunity to know this wonderful man. :smile:

He will be missed, and the Joss Tour will never be the same for me without him there.

JAM

 

[frankwhite]

Wow!!!

This is a great loss to the billiard community. i was just w/ "DIP" @ the TS, making me laugh and always asking for Keith and Jenny. I just can't believe it. I will miss him dearly.

RIP "DIP", love ya brother................................

Frankie

 

[TeamCastillo]

Rest In Peace

We all enjoyed seeing and chatting with Dip at Valley Forge and just a couple of weeks ago at Turning Stone. We will miss seeing him.

Roberto, Mary & Jonathan

 

[Kevin Lindstrom]

My small contribution in memory of Dip.

Here are some pictures of Dip at the 2008 Super Billiards Expo. He was very flattered and very happy to have been able to have his picture taken with these 3 beautiful women. He truely was a happy, wonderful and cheerful soul.

I too hope that Mike Zuglan and the powers to be rename the Turning Stone events in the name and memory of this kind gentleman. I will shed a tear everytime I enter the Turning Stone casino as I think of Dip in the big poolroom in the sky.

We will surely miss you DIP. Rest in peace my friend.

Kevin