Gabriel David Corey

Gabriel David Corey, 68, passed away unexpectedly on October 31, 2026, in Des Plaines, Illinois. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, sibling, educator, coach, and man of faith, Gabriel leaves behind a legacy of leadership, hard work, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. His passing leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of his family, friends, former players, students, colleagues, and the many communities he touched throughout his life.

Born on June 28, 1958, in Terre Haute, Indiana, Gabriel was the son of Alexander and Adelle Corey. Raised in Terre Haute, he grew up surrounded by family, hard work, and the values that would ultimately define his life. He was one of seven siblings, alongside Alexander, George, Jamiley, Alecia, Woodrow, and Samuel. Family was always at the center of Gabriel's life, and the close relationships he developed with his siblings and extended family remained important to him throughout his life.

Gabriel graduated from Terre Haute South Vigo High School in 1976, where he distinguished himself as an exceptional student-athlete. A standout defensive lineman on the football team, he was a four-year varsity starter, team captain, and All-State and All-County selection, earning recognition as the best defensive lineman in the county. He was also a standout track and field athlete. His competitive spirit, determination, and passion for athletics carried him to Indiana State University, where he continued his football career. He graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education. He later earned his master's degree in Education and Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University and continued pursuing professional development and certifications throughout his career. Gabriel was a lifelong learner who believed there was always something more to understand, improve, or accomplish.

His passion for teaching, coaching, and developing young people became the foundation of a career that would span more than four decades; however, Gabriel's professional journey began long before his first teaching position. Growing up, he worked at his father's family business, Alex TV & Appliance, beginning at just 10 years old. There, he learned every aspect of the business from sales and deliveries to installation and appliance repair. Those early experiences instilled in him an extraordinary work ethic, a willingness to get his hands dirty, and an expectation that everything should be done the right way.

Following college, Gabriel began his career in education and coaching at Terre Haute North Vigo High School in 1981, serving as a Teacher and Assistant Football Coach. It was there that he discovered his calling and developed a deep love for his profession. Driven by a desire to lead his own football program, he accepted his first head coaching position at Southmont Senior High School in Crawfordsville, Indiana, in 1985. That opportunity marked the beginning of a distinguished career as a Head Football Coach and program builder.

In 1986, Gabriel accepted the position of Head Football Coach and Teacher at Paris High School in Paris, Illinois. He inherited a program that had endured 32 consecutive losses. Rather than shy away from the challenge, Gabriel embraced it. In his very first season, he led Paris to a 28-20 victory over Taylorville, ending the losing streak and giving the program a new sense of belief and direction. Under his leadership, the program continued to improve, culminating in a playoff appearance in 1990. His ability to transform struggling programs and establish a winning culture quickly earned him a reputation as one of the region's premier program builders.

In 1994, Gabriel took on another significant challenge when he joined Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Illinois, as the Head Football Coach and Teacher. Once again, he was entrusted with rebuilding a program that had endured seven seasons without a victory. And once again, Gabriel delivered. He broke the losing streak in his very first game as head coach, setting the foundation for years of improvement and renewed competitiveness.

In 2002, following the birth of his youngest son, Louis, Gabriel made the deeply personal decision to step away from coaching and devote more time to his wife, Lisa, and their seven young children. At the time, his children ranged in age from newborn to six years old. Although he remained committed to his teaching responsibilities, his decision reflected what had always mattered most to him: his family.

In 2009, unable to stay away from the game and the young people he loved mentoring, Gabriel returned as Maine East's Head Football Coach. Once again, he inherited a program that had gone nearly seven years without a victory. And once again, he ended the losing streak in his very first game back at the helm. His second tenure saw Maine East become a competitive football program, with Gabriel continuing to build confidence, discipline, and character in the young men entrusted to his care. In recognition of his remarkable turnaround, he was named the Chicago Bears “Coach of the Week” for his first victory back in 2009.

Perhaps one of Gabriel's proudest experiences at Maine East came in 2012, when he had the opportunity to coach his four oldest sons, Gabriel, Alexander, George, and Woodrow, all of whom played together on the varsity football team. It was a special opportunity to share his lifelong passion for the game with his own children, creating memories that would last far beyond their playing days.

After more than three decades in education and coaching, Gabriel retired from his positions at Maine East in 2015. However, retirement did not suit him for long. He missed the daily interaction with young people and the opportunity to make a difference in their lives. In 2016, he joined Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, Illinois, initially as a long-term substitute before transitioning into a teacher's assistant and eventually campus security. His desire to remain involved in a school community and continue serving others never diminished.

In 2023, Gabriel joined John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights as Campus Security Lead, where he managed a security team and helped ensure the safety of the school's students, faculty, and staff. He remained in that role until his passing.

Throughout his career, Gabriel was beloved by the school communities he served. Administrators, staff, and the student body admired his compassion, dedication, and genuine investment in the lives of young people. He had a remarkable ability to connect with people, inspire confidence, and bring out the best in those around him. He was fair, consistent, passionate, innovative, and never afraid to stand up for what he believed was right. As a coach, he was intense, demanding, and motivational, but always driven by a desire to see his players succeed. His former players remained connected to him long after their playing days ended, many becoming lifelong friends. His influence extended well beyond wins and losses, as he helped shape the character, confidence, and direction of countless young men and women.

It is no coincidence that several of his own children followed similar paths into teaching and coaching. They witnessed firsthand the profound difference their father made in the lives of others and the fulfillment he found in helping young people reach their potential. Gabriel had a natural calling to lead, and those fortunate enough to witness him in action understood just how special that gift was.

While his professional accomplishments were significant, Gabriel's greatest pride and deepest devotion belonged to his family. On March 5, 1995, he married the love of his life, Lisa Ann Corey, at St. George Orthodox Church in Terre Haute, Indiana. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, commitment, and unconditional love. Lisa was his partner in every sense, and their marriage was the foundation of the family he cherished above all else.

Gabriel was a proud father of seven children: Fr. Gabriel and his wife, Presbytera Elisabeth; Dr. Alexander Corey and his wife, Kinga; George Corey; Woodrow Corey; Alecia Corey; Samuel Corey and his fiancée, Brigid Early; and Louis Corey. He was also a loving grandfather to Alexander and Bennett Corey, who brought him tremendous joy and pride in recent years.

To Gabriel, being a father was not simply a responsibility; it was his greatest purpose. He took immense pride in watching his children grow, pursue their goals, and build lives of their own. He made it a point to be present, whether traveling to watch their athletic competitions, supporting their educational endeavors, attending their coaching events, or simply showing up whenever they needed him. He willingly stepped away from a career he loved to spend more time raising his children because nothing was more important to him than being the husband and father his family deserved.

Gabriel was the glue that held his family together. He took great pride in his siblings, extended family, and the relationships that connected generations. His greatest goals in life were to provide for and protect his family, to raise his children to be successful, and to establish a foundation of love and togetherness that would endure long after he was gone. He accomplished those goals beyond measure. He leaves behind a close-knit family whose members will continue to lean on one another and carry forward the values he instilled in them.

His Orthodox Christian faith was another defining part of his life. Gabriel was a devout Orthodox Christian who lived his faith daily, not simply through words, but through his actions and the way he treated others. He was deeply involved in his church community, serving on the Parish Council and as Director of Sunday School. His faith guided his approach to family, work, and relationships, and remained an important foundation throughout his life.

Moreover, Gabriel found fulfillment in staying busy and working with his hands. Whether repairing appliances, fixing electronics or cars, remodeling the family home, landscaping, or taking on countless DIY projects, he enjoyed figuring things out and making things better. He was a perfectionist who never cut corners and always believed in doing a job correctly. He inherited his tremendous work ethic from his father and carried those lessons with him throughout his life.

Gabriel also maintained an extraordinary commitment to physical fitness throughout his life. In his younger years, he was a dedicated athlete, once bench pressing an incredible 505 pounds and running a mile in five minutes flat. He remained remarkably strong and physically active throughout his life. In a fitting example of his competitive nature and determination, he celebrated his 68th birthday by completing 75 consecutive pushups, surpassing his original goal of 68. He approached life with that same spirit: setting a goal, pushing himself, and refusing to settle for less than his best.

Gabriel leaves behind a remarkable legacy that reaches across generations and throughout both Indiana and Illinois. He will be remembered by his family as a loving husband, devoted father, proud grandfather, caring sibling, and the rock of their family. He will be remembered by his former students and players as a man who believed in them, challenged them, and helped them become better people. He will be remembered by his colleagues and friends as a tireless worker, a compassionate leader, a man of conviction, and someone who brought energy and optimism into every room he entered.

Gabriel spent his life building things: football programs, relationships, confidence in young people, and most importantly a family. He never sought recognition for the countless lives he influenced; he simply believed it was his responsibility to make a difference wherever he went. By every measure that mattered most to him, Gabriel succeeded. He provided for his family, protected them, loved them unconditionally, and gave them the foundation to remain close and support one another through life's greatest challenges. He built a family that will carry his name, his values, and his spirit forward. His legacy will live on in the lessons he taught, the lives he changed, and the love he gave so freely.

He was a husband, father, grandfather, coach, teacher, mentor, brother, son, and friend. He was a leader, a protector, and the rock of so many lives. He was everything he set out to be and more. Though his presence will be deeply missed, the impact of his life will never be forgotten. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to All Saints Antiochian Orthodox Church in Chicago, Illinois, or St. George Orthodox Church in Terre Haute, Indiana.