SOUTH THOMASTON — Gabriel Peter Payor went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 13, 2020.

Gabriel was born in Rockport on October 10, 1993 to Andrew and Tracie Payor. Gabriel was welcomed into eternal peace alongside the love of his life, his wife, Freedom Leigh Payor.

He is survived by his stepchildren who he adored, Alexandra Bunker, Xavier Luce and Lux Luce. 

Gabriel is also survived by his parents, Andrew and Tracie Payor; his parents-in-law, David Hamlin and his wife Cindi, and Heidi Stevens and her husband David Hooper.

Gabriel will be missed dearly by his brother, Casey Clifton and his wife Alysia, and children Israel, Ezekiel, Annabel, and Lillian of Mississippi; his sister Chelsea Summers and her husband Dakota, and children Emily and Jack Spearin; his sister Alexenia Payor; his sisters-in-law, Taylor Hamlin and Cassie Burrows, and his brother-in-law Zeke Hamlin of California. 

Gabriel will also be dearly missed by his paternal grandparents David and Patricia Payor of Massachusetts, and his maternal grandmother Joyce Crabtree Stein. He counted himself blessed with close and special relationships with his uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, coworkers, and church family. 

Gabriel was predeceased by grandparents Mary Bryant Payor, Kilton Crabtree, and Pete Stein.

Gabriel was known for his deep and affectionate love for his family and friends, expressed often by his exuberant “Gabe hugs” and words of encouragement. His greatest joy was spending time together with his wife and family. He was incredibly proud of his beautiful wife Freedom’s artistic talents including gardening, painting, and creating fine jewelry, and they were drawn together by their sense of adventure. They both enjoyed outdoor activities with the children including swimming, sledding, and exploring the coast of Maine.

Gabriel was enrolled in the University of Maine and was pursuing his bachelor’s degree in biology, earning his status on the Dean’s List this past semester. His dream upon graduation was to work towards helping people through naturopathic medicine, especially those suffering with genetic conditions. He worked full time in construction for years with his fellow crew members, who, along with his boss, he considered his dear friends. Gabriel found his work extremely rewarding and looked forward to someday building his family their own home. 

Gabriel had an amazing sense of humor and considered it an obligation to lift up those around him and make them laugh. He enjoyed playing instruments, singing, DJ’ing events, and much to the children’s delight, Gabe’s presence ensured that family gatherings inevitably ended in a spirited dance party. He took part in improving and engineering the sound at Pursuit Church and he and his wife enjoyed participating in the I Am Second ministry. As a boy, he loved boating, swimming, and barbecues at his family’s camp on Damariscotta Lake and wanted to share those experiences with his own family. Gabriel loved adventure and, in the summer of 2018, he set off on a trek down the east coast on his bicycle with only a tent on his back. 

Words cannot express the profound loss of Gabriel and Freedom’s passing and the anguish that is felt deeply by both families and their friends. Gabriel was a beloved son, brother, husband, stepfather, and friend.

All are welcome to a celebration of Gabriel’s life which will be held at Pursuit Church at 215 Limerock Street, Rockland, Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Gabriel’s family is asking that donations be made to a GoFundMe established for the support of his stepchildren accessible at the following link: www.gofundme.com/f/hamlin-family-amp-their-grandchildren

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

To share a story of love and remembrance with Gabriel’s family, all are invited to visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Family and friends are invited to visit Monday, June 22, 2020, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland; attendance will be limited to 50 guests at a time.