Former Santa Monica City Councilman Bob Gabriel died Dec. 13 after a bout with cancer. He was 84.
An insurance broker, Gabriel had a strong role in the shaping of Third Street in the 1960s. He was elected to the City Council in the 1970s, where he was an outspoken defender of local businesses. Over the years, he was supportive of many other aspects of Santa Monica civic and political life.
Gabriel, whose wife Louise heads the Santa Monica Historical Society, was a supporter of the society’s museum. He raised funds for it and earlier this year donated $100,000 to help build a new home for it.
Gabriel is survived by his wife; brother, Richard; daughters, Susan Potter and Sharyl Szydlik; son, Robb; and grandsons, Patrick, Bryan and Michael.
Gabriel was buried last month at Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the Santa Monica Historical Society Museum, 1539 Euclid St., Santa Monica, CA 90404.