Luca Gabriele, 79, restaurateur and owner of Luca’s Steak House, presently Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse of Greenwich passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on December 8th, 2015. Luca was born on April 18, 1936 in Ripanchandia Providinzia di Potenza, Italy to his parents Antonio and Antonette Ferreara Gabriele.
He entered the Italian Roma Army when he was 20 years old and served for 2 years. When he returned he married his beloved wife Gemma Leone on September 27, 1959.
The two were happily married for 56 years. Luca was a devoted father to Antonette, Lisa and Danny Gabriele. Luca relocated from Italy to the United States in 1961.
Upon settling in Greenwich, he worked as a chef at Manero’s Steakhouse for 20 years prior to opening Luca’s Steak House in 1982.
Luca was known for his generosity and kindness. He was an extraordinary man who overcame many obstacles in his life with his strong will and perseverance. He was a loving family man who worked incredibly hard to ensure a life well lived. He’s survived by his loving wife Gemma Leone Gabriele, his children Antonette D’Elia, Lisa (husband Francesco) Dipietro, and Danny (wife Suzanne) Gabriele. His loving brother Giovanni (wife Antonia) Gabriele, Maria Greco, and the late Dolorato Labriola Gabriele. And his eight grandchildren Dane, Kristin and Kaitlin D’Elia, Luca Jr. Lara and Ava Gabriele, Gabriella and Joseph Dipietro.
To honor Luca’s life family and friends will gather Sunday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Coxe and Graziano Funeral Home 134 Hamilton Ave, Greenwich. Tel. (203) 869-5968. Funeral Mass is on Monday at 10:00am at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, followed by interment at St. Mary’s cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Yale University with Yale transplant center c/o Mindy Boyum Yale School of Medicine P.O Box 7611, New Haven, CT 06519.