Bruce Gabrys, 63, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Eagle River, Alaska, passed into eternity on Jan. 30, 2019 after a year-long battle with cancer side-lined this tenacious and industrious man. Upon graduation from UW-Madison, where Bruce met the woman he would forever introduce as "my beautiful wife Theresa Ramsden," he earned a commission in the US Army and was assigned to Fort Richardson. In January 1979, the two braved the Alcan Highway. Stopping along the way to help a stranger in need, Bruce made a life-long friend who introduced him to the challenge of Cook Inlet commercial fishing, which quickly became an annual summer "fish camp" adventure involving the entire Gabrys family for over 35 years. Bruce devoted himself to the responsible use of the Wild Alaska resources by serving on numerous fishing boards until his death. To remain in the state he and Theresa had fallen in love with, Bruce transferred from active duty to the Alaska Army National Guard full-time, from which he retired as Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years of distinguished service. Upon this "second retirement," this untiring businessman earned his MBA degree and CPA license, culminating in the creation of his own CPA practice to work from the comfort of his home office. A life-long Roman Catholic, Bruce was faithfully devoted to St. Andrew's Parish, serving its community through a variety of roles. When asked "How are things?" he would never fail to respond "Just another day in Paradise!" When you love your God, your family, and your work, even this life can be a paradise. Bruce is survived by his devoted wife Theresa; siblings Margaret, Leonard, and Robert; children Johanna, Stephanie, and Paul; and seven grandchildren. A Funeral Mass will be held in Eagle River Alaska on Saturday, February 9, 2019. A Funeral Mass will be held on at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Avoca, WI on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 12:00 PM. Burial with military graveside rites will follow in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery. A visitation will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Saturday, February 16, 2019 from 11:00 AM until the time of the mass at 12:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests donations be made to the St. Andrew's Earthquake Rebuilding Fund. The Janssen Funeral Home and the Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service are assisting the family with their arrangements. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Bruce Gabrys, please visit our .