Thomas K. Gabbie
August 26, 1955 ~ April 22, 2020
Thomas K. “Gabs” Gabbie, a former Club Champion of Pleasant Valley Country Club and Williams Country Club, died Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at his home in Weirton, WV, after a year and a half battle with Acute Myeloid leukemia. He was 64 years old.
Tom was the firstborn child of five to the late Kenneth and Helen Donovich Gabbie.
Gabs, as he was known to many of his friends and family, was born on August 26, 1955. He attended Saint Joseph the Worker Grade School and graduated from Weirton Madonna High School in 1973. After high school, Gabs, like many Weirton teens, went to work in Weirton Steel. After working in the mill, he decided to continue his education at West Virginia University, where he studied abroad for one semester in Italy. He graduated in 1983 from WVU and pursued a career in sales. Most of his career was with Keebler and eventually with Kellogg Company after the 2001 buyout. Tom finished his 37 years in sales as the North America Sales Manager with Huafon Nikkei Aluminum Corporation.
Tom’s athletic talents started at a young age. In 1971 he set a termite record by belting three home runs that included a grand slam for a total of 10RBI’s in a single game. Working as a golf caddie at Williams Country Club, Gabs discovered his passion for the game of golf. Known throughout the Ohio Valley for his skills, Tom recorded six holes in one and was the only golfer in the history of Weirton to be crowned Club Champion four times, 1993 and 2010 with Pleasant Valley Country Club and 2002 and 2006 with Williams Country Club. In both winning and losing efforts, Gabs always respected his competitors, and he found his greatest joy playing against his friends, including John, Nick, Freddie, Gary, Jim, and John. He also enjoyed going on golf trips for forty years to Myrtle Beach and Florida
For relaxation, Gabs enjoyed visiting museums, attending symphonies, or quietly just sitting on the couch for hours reading History books or watching the Golf Channel and Food Network. He loved to cook!
Gabs was laid back, even keel, always going with the flow and usually quiet until his second drink.
Tom will be remembered with love by his three sisters; Lisa A. Gabbie, Tina (Keith) Engleka and Trish (Ramar) Russell; his brother, Daniel Gabbie; his loving girlfriend, Pam Zgurski, who was there by his side thru all of his illness; niece and nephews, Townsend Russell, and Andrew and Adam Engleka and many friends he made along the way.
A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at a later time when the COVID 19 restrictions on public gatherings are lifted.
Please share a story with Tom’s family at www.grecohertnick.com
Memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s memory to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at www.lls.org
Dear Gabbie family, May the happy memories help get you through this difficult time. He’s playing the best match of his life, I’m sure. God Bless all of you. Melanie Donofe
My sympathy to the Gabbie family, I have many memories of Tom from managing the PVZCC pro shop. RIP Tom.
I am so sorry!! Having lived for years across the street from the Gabbie family, I am so sad to see this. May he Rest In Peace 😥❤️. The Cacic/Turkal family.
Miss you, Gabs! Love you, brother! Dan McCune
Pam and family. We are so sorry for your loss. He was a good man. Pam, we know you two made some great memories together that you will be able to cherish always. With our deepest sympathy and lots of love. Paul and Sue Rafacz.
My deepest sympathy to Pam & his loving family. My family (The Jonczak’s) were next door neighbors & I watched him & his siblings grow up. I will always remember Tom with a smile on his face, he always had a nice word to say. May the wonderful memories of him bring all of you peace. Thoughts & prayers. Charlotte (Jonczak) Helba
Our condolences to family and friends. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Bill and Paulette Galiotos
To the Gabbie family, I am very sad to hear about Tom. I used to work with Tom. He was a really nice guy and he will be missed by everyone who knew him. I did not keep in touch with him after 2001, but I have always thought about all the people I used to work with and he was certainly one of the good ones. To Tom’s family, he is no longer suffering, may he Rest In Peace. My sincere condolences to your family, Mark Owczarzak
Our condolences to your family regarding Tom’s passing. We were out of town when he passed. I took care of Tom a few times during his illness. He was definitely a fighter and kept a positive attitude. Our condolences to Pam as well. Love and prayers, Michael and Toni Gurskey
Dan and family, so sorry for your loss.
It was heartbreaking to learn of Tommy’s passing. My deepest sympathies go out to Pam, family and so many friends.