Gabriel Magnusson left us all too soon on July 10, 2024. Gabriel loved life and packed more into his almost 14 years than most could in a lifetime. Gabriel was adopted in the summer of 2011 after his parents were blessed with his custody in the autumn of 2010.
Gabriel loved so deeply and freely. He never met a stranger and made a positive impact on those he encountered every time he walked into a room. From the youngest age he was entirely at home with his peers, adults, or mixed company. Those who knew him were family to him and he only saw the best in everyone.
He attended Wilmington Manor Elementary School from Kindergarten through 5th grade and McCullough Middle School for 6th through 8th. He was an avid lover of music playing baritone in the school band and drums at home. He played soccer in 7th and 8th grades as a goalie and wrestled in 8th. Wrestling turned into his true athletic calling and he was looking forward to his freshman year at William Penn High School. He loved the camaraderie of team sports and was always the first to cheer on and encourage his teammates.
Gabriel was obsessed with his dirt bike. He spent many hours cruising around his mom’s Maryland property, creating ruts, getting dirty and most importantly: doing wheelies. He was somehow more at home on one wheel than 2. Any 2-wheeled vehicle was fair game for him. He rode all over New Castle with his friends on his BMX bike, preferably only on the back wheel. He also enjoyed mountain biking with his Pop who he rode with many hours and laps around the state parks of New Castle County.
Gabriel’s second home was at the beach. All summer long he was found surfing at Rambler Beach in Wildwood Crest, NJ. He spent countless hours with his grandparents there on his longboard. He also surfed and boogie boarded the waves of The Outer Banks in the late summers with his Mom and Step-Dad.
Gabriel Magnusson is survived by Elizabeth (Liz) and Raymond (Ray) Shupe, his mom and step-dad, and his step siblings, Ian, Maddox, Emmit and Hannah. He is also survived by his father, Joshua Magnusson and his partner, Christine Smith; paternal grandparents, Bo and Tory Magnusson and maternal grandparents, Jeff and Gayle Tompkins as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Gabriel’s family will hold a Celebration of Life on Saturday, July 20 at 2pm at Skyline United Methodist Church: 3100 Skyline Drive Wilmington, DE 19808. In lieu of flowers donations can be made, in memory of Gabriel Magnusson, to the McCullough Middle School Athletics Program at colonialschooldistrict.org or mailed to 318 E Basin Rd New Castle, DE 19720.
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