Stephen “Terry” John Gabay III passed away on January 6, 2021. He was born in 1947 in Columbus, OH, to Stephen and Katherine Gabay. He had an older sister, Chris, and two younger brothers, Bill and Scott. As children, many summers were spent in Northern Michigan with their beloved grandparents on St. Ledger Island, where he taught himself to sail. During the Vietnam War, Steve joined the Air Force and serviced autopilot systems on F-4 Phantom fighter jets. He reached the rank of Sergeant before returning home and working for the family business. He would end his professional career at Kaw Valley Engineering, retiring after 20-plus years as a bookkeeper. Steve met and romanced his wife, Cathy, over visits to Mister Donut, where he wooed her with his old diesel suburban and 10-cent coffee tips. They went on to live an adventure-filled life and owned various businesses together, including Horizon Charter Sailing and Bayview Cottages in Michigan, and The Toy Parade in Abilene/Salina, Kansas. Steve loved his family as much as he loved the open water. He was known as the man who took all of the kids in the family on boat rides, taught them how to fish, and made sailing during a sunset magical. He loved speeding through the deep, Michigan snow on his snowmobile and airsled. On Sunday mornings, you could always find him watching old westerns on AMC, and enjoying a Swiss Cake Roll with a cold glass of milk. For over 15 years, we watched his strength in his fight against cancer. We can’t imagine how hard it must have been because he never let it show. The man who smiled through it all. The man with the jokes and uncanny stories. The man with the perm. The man we will forever cherish. We will be counting the days until we see you again. Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Katherine Gabay. He is survived by his wife, Cathy, and children, Kenny, Tabatha, Adam, and Jonathon, his siblings, Chris (Martin dec.) Tuckett, Scott (Mary) Gabay, Bill (Karen) Gabay, and numerous nieces and nephews. A private Celebration of Life will be held for family this spring. Memorial contributions can be made to Les Cheneaux Maritime Museum. Memorials may be dropped off or mailed to Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW Third St., Abilene, Kansas 67410.