Gabe E. Budda

January 17, 1959 - May 4, 2020

After a short battle with cancer, Gabe E. Budda died on May 4, 2020 in Freeland, Pennsylvania at the age of 61. He leaves behind his beloved daughter, Maya Budda and her partner Jonathan Veet and their son, Enzo Gabriel Budda-Veet.

Gabe was born January 17, 1959 in Hazleton, PA to father, Gabriel Budda and mother, Betty J Budda (Bell) who predeceased him. He is survived by brothers John Budda and his wife, Jill of Freeland; Mark Budda and wife, Kerstin of Williamsport; Stephen Budda and wife, Melanie of Wichita, Kansas; and Eric Budda and partner Nadine of Hazleton. Sisters Barbara Budda of Scranton, PA and Ruth Ann Balicki and husband, Michael of Santa Rose, Ca.

He served our United States military as an airplane mechanic with the Air Force before being honorably discharged. Gabe worked the majority of his life with Garland Commercial Industries from 1985 through their closing in 2010. After fulfilling a lifetime dream of moving to Arizona, he was employed as a lead masonry at Marvel Masonry in Phoenix.

Gabe was above all passionate and proud of his only child, Maya and grandson, Enzo. He will be missed by many cousins, nieces, nephews and great friends.

Gabe was an introvert who may have preferred thinking over speaking. He had a vast intellect and would enjoy a rousing debate on today’s politics, science, or existentialism.

Those who knew him, at the least, respected him and those lucky enough to be close to him, loved him and learned from him. he was a good man, a great father and gifted laborer.

The family expresses appreciation to members of All Care Hospice, Hazleton and the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

A private celebration of life service will be held by the family at a later date. McNulty Funeral Home is handling final arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Freeland Little League.