Gabriel (Gabe) Perez was filled with deep love for his family and friends. He was multi-faceted, creative, imaginative, artistic and extremely loyal and devoted to both his family and his friends.
On June 10, 2026, Gabriel Allan Perez, 21, passed away suddenly to be joined with his Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Gabe was born at Riverside Hospital in Newport News Virginia on October 18, 2004. As a young boy Gabe attended Bethel Christian School, James River Elementary School, Berkley Middle School, James Blair Middle School and Jamestown High School. He finished his academic career with ascertaining his G.E.D when he was sixteen years old. During Gabe’s academic tenure, Gabe met his core group of friends which would steadfastly and devotedly become like a second family to him.
Gabe is remembered by not just a few things but a million. His artwork from a young age through his life creating, imagining and inspiring art and others. His fashion sense, his eye for photography, his eclectic music choices, and playing music, all these are the heartbeat of his soul, a real creator of beautiful things. In his talent for creating beautiful things, he had beautiful friendships and poured heart and soul into those relationships and his family alike. And if not talented enough in those areas, he also was adventurous, learning to skateboard at a young age, surfing, ziplining, hiking, fishing, camping and traveling with family and friends. He came close to receiving a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Gabe loved all the beautiful things God had created so it is not a surprise how much he loved all of those things!
Gabe is survived by his mother, Michelle Defosse; his stepfather, Chris Defosse; his sister, Michaela Roberson; his maternal grandparents, Gary and Jeannie Saunders; and his paternal grandfather, Joe Perez and his girlfriend Debbie, and paternal grandmother Kathy Loretero. Gabe was blessed with a large and extensive family. He is survived by 22 cousins, 5 uncles and 5 aunts, his loving and abundant family spreads across the east coast from Virginia, West Virginia, and Delaware and to the West coast in California. Gabe enjoyed visiting his family across the States!
From his birth, Gabe and his mother, Michelle, shared a unique and beautiful friendship- parent-son relationship. Michelle rejoiced with Gabe in his talents, his abilities and the love he had for others. Michelle walked every step of Gabe’s life with him and their bond was a testimony to devoted love in this hard world. Gabe and his sister, Michaela, were more than brother and sister and often rejoiced in sharing their lives with each other even when they couldn’t see each other by frequently talking on the phone and texting each other. Gabe took great pride in helping his maternal grandparents, Mimi and Pops, with such tasks as assisting them with their house repairs and gardening. Gabe truly loved his entire family.
Gabe is preceded in death by his father Keith Perez from whom he also inherited many of his artistic abilities and love for music.
Please join us in remembering and honoring the life of Gabriel Perez on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 3:00pm- 4:00 pm (Visitation) at Bucktrout of Williamsburg Funeral Home, 4121 Ironbound Rd Williamsburg VA 23188. And June 25, 2026 at 12:00-1:00 (Service) at Christ Fellowship Church of Williamsburg, 3687 Ironbound Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188 immediately followed by resting Gabe at Williamsburg Memorial Park.
In Lieu of flowers the family asks you consider donating to TEARS FOUNDATION in honor and memory of Gabriel Perez. TEARS is a Foundation that is there in help with tragic passing of those we so love.
