Gabriel Matthew LaBruzza

Gabriel Matthew LaBruzza, age 79, of Prescott and Chino Valley, Arizona, passed away Friday July 12, 2013 in Prescott. Gabe was born March 26, 1934 to Vincent and Maria (Scrudato) LaBruzza at the SoHo Hospital in Belleville, New Jersey. Gabe was the owner of LaBruzza’s Italian Ristorante on Iron Springs Road and was beloved by all his customers. He greeted everyone with a big “Hi , How You Doing? Thanks for coming in.” . Gabe attended Utah State University and graduated with a Bachelors Degree. He then served in the Air Force during the Korean War as an aircraft mechanic stationed in Japan. Gabe had two children, James Vincent and Mathew Gabriel with Sue Lacey Miller whom he divorced . Gabe came to Prescott in 1988 with $500.00 in his pocket and opened his first restaurant, LaBruzza Italian Ristorante on White Spar Road, which in later years relocated to his current location on Iron Springs Road. His loyal customers followed Gabe and enjoyed the finest Italian Cuisine in Northern Arizona. In his spare time Gabe enjoyed gardening, baseball, sports especially boxing and spending time with his family and friends who will all miss him dearly. Gabe is survived by his sons James LaBruzza (Mariko) and Matt LaBruzza (Jen) and their children Nathan and Lucas; his brothers Vincent, US Army Korea (Raffaela), Sal, US Air Force WWII (Gloria); sister Nancy LaBruzza; nieces and nephews – Anthony, Robert, Billy, Jimmy, Paul, Joseph, Angela, Marie, Kathy, Joseph, Maryann, Vincent, Christine . Gabe was predeceased by his brothers Frank, US Army, Silver Star WWII and Joseph, US Army Silver Star WWII and two sisters Mary and Pam. Funeral Services will be Friday, July 19 at 10am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with interment at the Veterans Cemetery in Prescott. A reception at Sacred Heart will follow the interment ceremony at the VA Cemetery. In lieu of flowers , please make a donation in Gabe’s memory to our Prescott Fire Department Hotshot survivor Brendan McDonough Charity Fund at any Wells Fargo Branch, account #7361874469 or to The Wounded Warrier Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. The Hampton Funeral Home of Prescott, Arizona was entrusted with Gabe’s arrangements.

Gabriel Matthew LaBruzza

March 26, 1934 - July 12, 2013