Poughkeepsie - Philip H. Gabel, 73, a 48 year resident of Poughkeepsie, died Wednesday, July 16, 2003, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. Mr. Gabel was employed as a telephone technician for New York Telephone Co. until 1984 and AT&T until his retirement in 1986. He attended Manual Training High School in Brooklyn, NY where he was a member of the 1948 city champion football team. He was voted all-city left-end that year. He was also a life-guard at various city beaches for four years being involved with the saving of at least two lives. After graduation, he attended the University of Nebraska until he entered the U.S. Navy in 1950. He was stationed on the USS Currituck, a seaplane tender until his honorable discharge in August 1954. Phil was a member of the Arlington American Legion Post #1302, Pirate Canoe Club, Telephone Pioneers, and the Hudson River Watertrails Association. Phil was an avid outdoorsman spending many weekends over the years with his family camping, hiking, canoeing, and scuba diving in the Adirondacks and Catskills. He and his wife Pat also enjoyed touring through New England and Nova Scotia by motorcycle. His passion for the last few years was kayaking, exploring the Hudson River with his wife and two kayak buddies, Skippy his doxie, and Holly, Pat's Westie Born in Brooklyn on June 22, 1930, he was the son of Philip and Elizabeth Gabel. In 1956 he married Patricia Hagan at St. Theresa of Avila Church in Brooklyn, NY. Mrs. Gabel survives at home. In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons, Philip and wife Tina Gabel, Thomas and wife Mary Gabel, Cameron and wife Tarryl Gabel; a daughter, Dawn Brewster and husband, Kevin; three grandchildren, Lindsey, Sean, and Elizabeth; two sisters, Elizabeth Bruce of Glen Cove, NY, and Ruth Hutchins and husband, William of Toms River, NJ; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at the Pirate Canoe Club in Poughkeepsie on Saturday July 26, at 10 am. Memorial donations may be made to the Hudson River Watertrails Association, 245 8th Ave., Box 118, New York, NY 10011. To send a condolence to Phils family, please visit our website, www.sweetsfuneralhome.com