A memorial service was held at Orchard Evangelical Free Church in Arlington Heights, where Gabel was a dedicated parishioner. He was also a member of the Chicago Masters Singers with Tim Dirsmith.
"Gary was an extraordinary man. We are exactly the same age. He was a person who sang his faith every evening when he came to rehearse and every performance in which he sang. . . He was a man who would step outside and reach out and help other people any time and on every occasion he had the moment," Dirsmith said.
Gabel and his wife, Betty, were visiting their son, John, and his wife, Theresa, and 1-year-old daughter, when an Afghan security guard opened fire. Theresa was wounded. Chicago-based pediatrician Dr. Jerry Umanos was also killed.