Dr. Gabriel O. Mooney, 77, of Burr Ridge, formerly of Hinsdale, passed peacefully at home Aug. 17, 2023, after a long illness.
Gabriel grew up on a farm in Skryne, Co. Meath, Ireland. He regaled in telling tales of his youth, family, the farm and Irish football.
After completing secondary school he went on to graduate from medical school at the University College Dublin in 1970. Seeking to continue his education abroad, he emigrated to the United States in 1971, where he completed residencies in general and plastic surgery and a hand surgery fellowship.
Together with his wife, Cathy, he was privileged to serve patients in private practice throughout the Chicagoland area for more than 25 years, primarily at Advocate Christ Hospital and Little Company of Mary Hospital. His leadership was evidenced by the many positions he held, including vice chairman of the surgery department, chairman of plastic surgery division, assistant professor of plastic surgery at University of Illinois Chicago and clinical instructor in plastic surgery at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center. He was a past president of the Chicago Society of Plastic Surgeons (now The Illinois Society of Plastic Surgeons), a diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
He had a beautifully gentle bedside manner, and in addition to his medical career, he volunteered on surgical missions to Guatemala, Peru and Bolivia, at the Little Company of Mary Skin Cancer Clinic and at Hinsdale Hospital as a Eucharistic minister. He enjoyed a variety of sports with a highlight being the runner-up in the All Ireland Handball Colleges Final 1964. His competitive nature and gift for conversation served him well on the racquetball court and at the 19th hole on many great golf courses with family, friends and colleagues.
A man of many interests, he enjoyed flying small planes and scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef at the Hayman Islands. He was always ready with a joke. A devout Catholic, he was a man of deep faith.
He loved to reminisce about his childhood, argue politics, watch all types of sporting events, he tinkered with everything and his kids and grandkids were blessed that he was incredibly involved in their lives.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Catherine, née Hickey; his children, David and Anita (Dane) Robinson; his grandchildren, Molly, Quinn and Declan Robinson; and many brothers- and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tommy and Bernadette Mooney; and his brothers, Ray and Tex (Ann).
Visitation is at 9 a.m. today, Aug. 24, at St. Isaac Jogues Church, 306 W. Fourth St., Hinsdale.
A Mass of Christian burial will follow at the church at 10 a.m. The Mass will be live-streamed at http://www.//sij.net/special-event-livestream.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made online to Advocate Hospice at http://www.nhpco.org/providers/advocate-hospice-2/ or Benet Academy (Memo: Gabriel Mooney Fund), 2200 Maple Ave., Lisle, Illinois 60532 (online at http://www.benet.org).
Sullivan Funeral Home in Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
