Mr Derek William Gablinske

Mr. Derek William Gablinske, age 29 of Bristol, died Monday, November 28, 2011. Born in Providence and a lifelong resident of Bristol, he was the son of Douglas W., former RI State Representative serving District 68, and Patricia B. (Brady) Gablinske of Bristol. Derek was a graduate of LaSalle Academy, Providence, Class of 2001, where he was a Lettered Varsity Soccer Player and a member of their State Championship Team of 2001. An avid soccer player, he was brought up in the Bristol Youth Soccer Program. He was currently in his last year of studies at the University of Rhode Island with a double major in Microbiology and Biotechnology. Derek served as an Airman First Class in the US Air Force for six years from 2001-2007, spending one term of his service, in Germany, as an Emergency Medical Technician. He received among numerous decorations and awards the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. While in the Air Force in 2006 Derek was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base with the 81st Medical Group, Derek with his fellow Medics was playing a softball game against the Civil Engineer Group of the 81st, with shouts of 'Medic' 'he's not breathing' coming from an adjoining ball field, Derek and two other medics immediately jumped a 10 foot fence and ran to assist the person who they found in complete cardiac and respiritory arrest, they startedCPR and stablized him and by the time the ambulance arrived the patient was breathing on his own and conscious and off he went to the hospital where his recovery was complete and his life restored by Derek and the other two medics and they returned to the field and continued their game as Derek later humbly said to a reporter of the Keesler News 'I'm glad we were there, We were at the right place and right time', they lost that game but Derek and the others were truly winners. Derek loved animals especially his dog, Cobi. He was well know by family and friends for his sharp wit, keen sense of humor, friendly demeanor and will be remembered for just having a hilarious and fun personality, where you loved being in his company. He is survived in addition to his parents, by a sister, Lauren E. Gablinske of Boston, MA, his longtime girlfriend, Christina E. Habershaw of Bristol, his paternal grandmother, Shirley L. (Rogers) Nunes of Bristol and his maternal grandparents, James H. and Rita (Wilkes) Brady of Scituate, Aunts and Uncles, Linda L. Gablinske of Cranston, Wayne A. and Linda Gablinske of Bristol, Kathy and Rene Salois of Foster, Ann and Frank Andreozzi of Barrington, James and Ellen Brady of Scituate, Margaret and Glenn Rogerson of Smithfield, John and Justine Brady of Charlestown and Maryann Brady of Smithfield and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, William F. Gablinske. Funeral services for Derek was held Saturday, December 3, 2011 with a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary's Church, 330 Wood Street, Bristol. The Rev. Jared J. Costanza, Pastor of St. Elizabeth's Church was the Principal Celebrant and Homilist for the Mass, The Very Rev. Henry P. Zinno, Jr., Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and Dean of the East Bay Deanery for the Diocese of Providence was a Concelebrant and led the Prayers of the Faithful, The Rev. Msgr. Albert A. Kenney, Vicar General for the Diocese of Providence and the LaSalle Academy Chaplain in Providence from 1997-2010, Concelebrated and represented the LaSalle Academy family and The Rev. Jeremy J. Rodrigues, Assistant Pastor of St. Philip's Church, Greenville and a Bristol native also Concelebrated the Mass, David E. Barboza was the Master of Ceremony for the Mass and assisted, Kenneth Bryant was the Organist-Soloist and Derek's Uncle Glenn Rogerson was the Cantor-Soloist for the Mass. Readers were Patricia Faria and JoAnn Pasqual and Danielle Ziegler, Mary Beth Ziegler and Nicole Salois Soullier presented the Offertory Gifts of the Mass. Derek's flagged draped casket was escorted from the Sansone Funeral Home to the standing room only Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church by Motorcycle officers of both the Bristol and Johnston Police Departments. Burial was private and the following served as pallbearers, Carl Benevides, Jr., Brad Lombardi, Justin Costa, Justin and Jared Andreozzi, Kevin, Timothy and Chris Brady. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the RISPCA (RI Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), 186 Amaral St., Riverside, RI 02915. For online condolences, shared memories, information and directions go to www.sansonefunealhome.com Following is the Gospel Reading from Derek's Mass of Christian Burial and the Homily given by the Rev. Jared J. Costanza, Pastor of St.Elizabeth's Church, Bristol for the comfort of Derek's family and friends. A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a youngman who had died was being carried out - the only son of his mother, who was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, 'Do not weep.' He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, 'Young man, I tell you: arise!' The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, but they glorified God, exclaiming, 'A great prophet has arisen in our midst,' and 'God has visited his people.' This report about Jesus spread throughout the whole land region of Judea and in all the surrounding region. -------------------------------------------------------- If only these circumstances were different. If only we could change them. If only we could turn back the hands of time. But we cant. We are forced to accept the sad reality that Derek's life ended suddenly, tragically, and much too soon. And the only context in which we can accept this reality is the context of faith. We turn to God - not because He has any meaningful answers for us. But because only Gods Word can assure us that Derek is alright. Only God can help us to pick up the pieces of what has been shattered and left behind. What are those pieces? What has been left behind? First, theres all the stuff we dont like to talk about: the hurt we feel, the confusion, the guilt, the anger, the sadness, the helplessness. There are those questions that haunt us: Why? What was the source of the pain he hid so well? What was it that had so much power to weigh him down and diminish his will to live? Could I have done something to help him fight this power? Whats to blame? Whos to blame? Is it me? If only I had said this or done that... If only I hadnt done this or hadnt said that... Its not fair for any of us to put ourselves through that hell. Its human for us to think about these things, but as humans, we must accept our limitations: we cant read minds, we cant see the future, we cant see a persons feelings or thoughts; we cant heal wounds that arent made visible to us. But I wonder if weve really come here looking for answers. Even if there were answers to the questions on our minds and in our hearts, they wouldnt help any. Answers cant ease the sadness or heal the pain; answers cant bring Derek back. We seek something more, dont we? We seek, in the context of faith, the assurance from God that Derek has been delivered safely from death. We seek, at this Mass, the peace and comfort of remembering that Jesus suffered and died, and promised that all who died with him will share in the victory of resurrection, even when all seems lost; even when the darkness seems to have the final say - we come together in this place to remind each other that Gods light still shines in the darkness of this hour, and that light is Jesus Christ, your Lord, and my Lord, and Dereks Lord, and the Gospel speaks to the power of our Lord in the story we just heard; in the words Jesus spoke to the young man who lay dead in that casket being carried through the town of Nain: “Young man, I tell you: arise!” Jesus didnt know who was in that casket, he never asked what happened, he never asked what the circumstances were, he never asked how he died - He just raised him. For God, loving us is a reflex - restoring life is a reflex for God because He is a God of life, and not death. What happened on Monday wasnt Gods will. It wasnt our will. And you and I know that deep down, it wasnt even Dereks will. The inner, quiet pain that Derek battled corrupted his will, his judgment. God knows that human pain; he knows human limitations and weaknesses, and subjected His own Son to them, even to the point of death. Why did he do that? So that He could understand it; so that we could relate to Him, whose power is greater than the power of death: its the power of resurrection! Dereks soul has been claimed by the God of mercy, understanding, and compassion - Derek has gone on to hear the words Jesus spoke to the young man in the gospel today - those words of resurrection and new life: “Young man, I tell you: arise!” No questions asked; no strings attached! Because our God does not judge a life by the way it ends - He shines His light upon our life, not our death; He shines His light upon our goodness, casting everything else into a shadow. Friends, that is how we are to remember Derek: the memories of this week must fade away into the shadow that lies behind the man we knew and loved. Death has no power to take away who Derek was: how he influenced you, inspired you, loved you, helped you, encouraged you - none of that is erased or diminished by his death! God gave you the gift of Derek Gablinski, and that gift has changed you. If you're here today, its because Dereks influence in your life has made you a better person; your life is better because Derek blessed it - he was a part of it, and death can't change that. And so the challenge for us is not to seek answers to questions, our challenge is to pick up the pieces of Dereks life that are left behind and fit them into some of the gaps in our own life: Derek had a heart of gold, and there was room in it for everyone, and so the example of his loyalty and commitment to family and friends encourages us to become more faithful in our relationships. The ways in which Derek was able to make people feel good about themselves, unique and special, are examples by which we can do the same for those who are struggling and trying to find their way. Dereks love for animals, his fascination with science and all of creation, planted seeds in our hearts that can grow into a great wonder and awe for Gods creative power. His ability to connect with people, to relate to you, and help you to discover your gifts and identity inspires us to reach out to others who are in need of our friendship and support. In remembering how Derek was always ready to listen to you, to give you his undivided attention, we can choose to become more patient; better listeners; better friends. In remembering that Derek was able to take so much joy in your accomplishments, we can choose to become less self-centered and more supportive of others. In remembering that Derek never set out to cause pain or suffering to anyone, we can choose to become more forgiving and more understanding. In remembering his sense of humor, his wit, and his ability to guide and teach others, we can allow our gifts to bring out the best in other people, as he was able to do so well. And, in remembering that Derek wasnt perfect, we can feel comfortable in admitting our weaknesses, and revealing our wounds to God and one another, that we might be made new and whole. These are the things that Derek would want us to incorporate into own lives. He wouldn't have us cry; He wouldn't want anything less than for us to live life to the fullest - to make the best of our lives: to do the things that give us meaning, to take care of ourselves, to value our relationships, and take no one and nothing for granted. He would want us to find and celebrate the peace that only God can give - it's the joy that comes from knowing that, in the words of Saint Paul: 'Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus Christ.' Derek realizes that now. His soul has been claimed by our Father, who alone can give Derek the rest, and care, and peace that he couldnt find in this world. This journey, or process, for Derek, is a lot like the experience described by the late Basil Hume, the former Cardinal of London, who wrote these words: “Death is that moment at the end of our journey when we finally whisper into the ear of a merciful and compassionate God the complete story of our lives which we have never been able to fully tell another person - all our struggles and setbacks; all our hopes and disappointments; all our pain and worry; all our secret fears and sins, finally told - simply and with complete trust, knowing that all is completely revealed, fully understood, totally accepted, and now washed clean in God's absolute and unconditional love revealed in Jesus Christ our Savior.” Derek now knows that absolute and unconditional love with a surety that none of us can imagine. He has knocked on the door of Gods sacred heart, and has been welcomed with the open arms of Christ, into a new life, where there is no more suffering, no more pain, no more tears, no more sorrow: only the fullness of life and peace. Derek, may the grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and forever.

Service Information Visitation Friday December 2, 2011 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sansone Funeral Home 192 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 --> Service Saturday December 3, 2011 10:00 AM St. Mary's Church 330 Wood St. Bristol, RI -->