Shirley and Gabe Garbarini, ’50

A lifetime of Service and Passion for Helping Others

Shirley and Gabe Garbarini, '50

For the late Anthony Philip "Gabe" Gabarini, Jr., '50, living a life of service to others was his calling. After graduating from Snyder High School in Jersey City, 17-year-old Gabe enlisted in the Navy from June 1945 until August 1946. Thanks to the G.I. Bill, he would enroll at Seton Hall and graduate in 1950.

Gabe re-enlisted in the Navy in 1951, served in the Korean War, and was appointed to the first class at Officer Candidates School in Newport, RI, where he graduated as an ensign in the supply corps. During the Vietnam War, he was an ROTC instructor at Keansburg High School (Keansburg, NJ) and eventually taught at the Navy School of Science and Technology at Sandy Hook, NJ, which he helped found. He remained in the Navy Reserve for 34 years and was a Navy Recruiter. He retired as a Navy Commander.

Aside from being passionate about serving his country, Gabe had a deep passion for his Catholic Faith and education. He chose to attend Seton Hall University because the school offered the perfect chance to pursue his academic and personal faith-based goals. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and even spent two years in the seminary at Maryknoll Seminary in Clark Summit, PA. Ultimately, Gabe found success by operating a very successful insurance agency, aside from other endeavors.

Upon his passing, Gabe's wife, Shirley, had inherited his IRA and followed through on his wishes to continue to support his alma mater in a transformative way. She knew of his love for Seton Hall University and Catholic education. By making Seton Hall a beneficiary of the IRA, Shirley will create opportunities for students in our ROTC program and at the Stillman School of Business to continue to thrive academically. She also eternally honored Gabe's memory and legacy as a loyal alumnus of Seton Hall.

You can follow Shirley and Gabe's example today by including Seton Hall as a beneficiary of your IRA. Allow students who share the same passions to achieve their goals by leaving a planned gift and affirming your family's legacy.

At a Glance: Retirement Accounts

  • Contact the plan custodian for a beneficiary designation form.
  • Designate Seton Hall to receive all or a portion of the assets held in the retirement plan.
  • Avoid the potential double taxation your retirement savings would face if you designated these savings to your heirs.
  • Continue to take regular lifetime withdrawals.
  • Maintain flexibility to change designation if your family's needs change during your lifetime.