KEITH MICHAEL GEBBIA SR.
CHARLESTON - Keith Michael Gebbia Sr. passed away on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Mr. Gebbia was born on May 31, 1955, in New Orleans, and grew up there with his parents, Yvonne Mattei and Joseph Frank Gebbia, and his siblings, Joseph Jr., Mary "Teal" Marquez and Flo Mattei Clemons. From his childhood, he was known as a hard worker and a generous and fun-loving friend. He played the clarinet through high school and marched in many Mardi Gras parades. He loved diving for clams, catching shrimp, swimming in Lake Ponchartrain and, above all, cooking delicious food. In 1974, Mr. Gebbia joined the United States Air Force and served for nearly 21 years. During his service, he worked as an aircraft technician and participated in Operation Desert Storm. He retired from the Air Force as a master sargent in 1995. Following his retirement, Mr. Gebbia worked as a manager for Papa John's, dealt blackjack at Harrah's Casino in New Orleans, operated events for Crystal Rose Casino in Denver, Colorado, and drove for Uber in Charleston, where he enjoyed showing tourists around one of his favorite cities. Mr. Gebbia loved traveling, cooking, the New Orleans Saints and spoiling his grandkids. He spent his last weekend celebrating with family and friends.
He is survived by the mother of his children, Margaret Mincy Gebbia; his four children, Susan Leigh Benenhaley (Jason Benenhaley), Keith Michael Gebbia Jr. (Kelly Normand Gebbia), Shaun David Gebbia and Shannon Richards-Gebbia (Natalie Richards-Gebbia); six grandsons, Alek Zander and Brody Zane Gebbia, Cody, Taylor, Ryan and Jason Shawn Benenhaley; one granddaughter, Camryn Zeta Gebbia; two great-grandsons, Brantley Benenhaley and Grayson Wrenn; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home Chapel with The Rev. Dr. Eugene Mosier officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at 1 p.m. at Florence National Cemetery in Florence.
The pallbearers will be Keith Michael Gebbia Jr., Shaun David Gebbia, David Ray Gaskins, Cody Benenhaley, Alek Xander Gebbia and Jason Shawn Benenhaley. Honorary pallbearers will be Brody Zane Gebbia and Taylor and Ryan Benenhaley.
The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the family c/o Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home, 515 Miller Road, Sumter, SC 29150.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.