Gabriel Jimenez

Gabriel Arcangel Jimenez, 52, of Willimantic, entered the kingdom of God on September 9, 2012. He was born on March 18, 1960 to the late Perfecto Jimenez and Paula Torres in the small town of Orocovis, Puerto Rico where he lived his whole childhood until he married. He married his life long partner, Maria Jimenez (Cruz), on November 21, 1981. Shortly after being married they came to the United States to begin a new life and in search of living the "American dream". Traveling throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts and finally Connecticut, he decided to settle in Willimantic where he has been a resident for over 25 years. His new life meant new beginnings including a job as maintenance worker for the Willimantic Housing Authority; a job he loved and looked forward to doing day after day. After close to 20 years of service he retired due to back problems. Gabriel was a man known for his kindness and friendliness. He was a type of person that would take the shirt right off his back and give it to someone in need. He was a man that never said no, always willing to help others even if he couldn't find a way in which he could. Gabriel was known for being a hard working man who provided for his family and others who needed him. He leaves behind four children from his marriage, Mayelin, Damaris, Marisely and Jorge Gabriel and a fifth child from a previous relationship, Riscaldo. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Gadiel, Nyesha, Gabriella Aneilys, London Rose, Angel, and Angelica. He will be greatly missed by his brothers, sisters, lots of nieces and nephews and by many friends. His family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday Sept. 12th between 6:00 and 8:00pm at Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00am at St. Joseph Church, 99 Jackson St. Willimantic with assembly in the church parking area at 9:45am. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .