Obituary: John D. Fabrello, 69

John D. Fabrello, 69, of Juneau, died October 27, 2011 after a six and a half year battle with prostate cancer.

He was born in Carlton, Minn. to the late Antonio and Anna Fabrello, on June 19, 1942. John graduated from Wrenshall High School in 1960.

John was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, honorably discharged in 1967 after spending time on the USS Chickasaw and USS Ajax. He started his family in San Diego, Calif. moving to Brookings, Ore. before relocating to Alaska in 1972 where he lived since. He was employed as a diesel mechanic at Galla Log on Zarembo Island, then moved to Wrangell, Alaska in 1977 as a diesel mechanic foreman for the Wrangell sawmills. During the 70’s and 80’s he commercial hand troll fished with his family during his spare time and weekends. He was hired in 1983 with the State Department of Transportation as an equipment operator and retired in 1997 as DOT Airport Manager. He spent his retirement commercial hand troll fishing on his wooden double-ender the F/V Carol Ann, worked at a cannery cooking and packing dungeness crab and helped out around Fennimore’s Service Station all while finishing raising his youngest son who graduated in 2000. In 2006 he moved to Juneau to be closer to his family and quality medical treatment after spending a year making monthly ferry trips between Wrangell and Juneau for medical treatment.

Through the different stages of his life he enjoyed hunting, fishing, gun smithing, reloading, raising his children, attending their sports events, cooking and exchanging recipes, having coffee with his buddies, watching and spending quality time with his grandchildren, taking his truck for long Sunday drives, long phone conversations with his many family and friends, emailing and Facebook. He is remembered by most for his strong work ethic, sense of humor and great conversations.

He was preceded in death by his father Antonio Fabrello, mother Anna Fabrello and brother Pat Fabrello.

John is survived by his children, Debra Idso of Lake Stevens, Wash., Dan (Michelle) Fabrello and Jerrin (Rheannon) Fabrello of Juneau; sister Mary Oland of Duluth, Minn; brothers Anthony (Trish) Fabrello of Santa Fe, NM, and Nick Fabrello of Seminole, Fla.; grandchildren Elisa Fabrello, Evan Fabrello, Madison Fabrello and Brannen Shipley.

His body was cremated and a celebration of life will be announced at a later date.