Born in Ohio and raised in Michigan, the late Michigan Wolverines QB Wally Gabler built his sports career in Canada. Gabler passed away at age 80 in Collingwood, Ontario, on February 9, 2025, after a courageous battle with brain and prostate cancer.
Gabler was born on June 9, 1944, in Portsmouth Ohio, and attended Kimball High School in Royal Oak, Michigan.
After graduating high school, Gabler enrolled at the New Mexico Military Institute in hopes of qualifying for the United States Academy.
At NMMI, Gabler broke several school records, including most passing touchdowns in a game and completion percentage, and was selected as a junior college All-American.
But destiny had other plans for him. He transferred to the University of Michigan and played years of football with them.
Oct 8 1967 – Scoring 7 TDs by 6 different players, the #Argos beat Winnipeg 53-0 at CNE Stadium. It was the largest margin of victory in Double Blue history, and it might still be.
— Bygone Boatmen (@BygoneBoatmen) October 9, 2021
Here's QB Wally Gabler, who threw 3 TD passes and scored one himself. pic.twitter.com/SG0CBMcy85
In his junior year, Gabler was part of the team that won the Big Ten Conference Championship but couldn’t make much impact due to being back to Bob Timberlake.
He received his first start in his senior season and later started four more games, during which he completed 58 of 126 passes for 825 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Gabler went on to play seven years in the Canadian Football League.
He played for three sides: Toronto Argonauts, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Wally retired from professional football after the 1972 season and found success in the corporate world in the later stage of his life.
The footballer is survived by his wife, Carole Cushing, his three kids, Wallace IV, Tamara, and Melissa Gabler, and his stepchildren.
A private memorial service has been organized to celebrate the former footballer’s life among the family members in the Spring of 2025.
Late Michigan Wolverines QB Wally Gabler And His Wife, Carol, Donated To Meaford Hospital In 2022
In June 2022, the former Michigan Wolverines QB Wally Gabler became a Meaford Hospital Foundation’s board member.
The Meaford Hospital Foundation’s Facebook page shared the exciting news on their Facebook handle and welcomed Wally and Chuck Gouett to the Board.
The page wrote, “Both are active members within the community, bringing a wealth of knowledge to our Foundation Board. We look forward to their commitment and contribution to the Board.”
It is also believed that in the same year or a year before, Wally and his wife, Carole Cushing donated $70,000 to the foundation.
The foundation released a statement with a picture of Carole and Wally standing side by side at Meaford Hospital. The statement read:
$50,000 of this important gift will support the new Cataract Surgery Suite at the Meaford Hospital, which is scheduled to open in the Winter of 2022. The remaining $20,000 is dedicated towards upgrading the Patient Lounge within the Hospital.
via: MHFoundation
Rob Peacock, Meaford Hospital Foundation’s CEO, stated that the patient lounge would be upgraded with essential space where family groups can visit and patients can safely socialize.
Meaford Hospital Foundation’s Chairman, John Leckie, also thanked the couple’s contribution and said, “We thank Wally and Carole very much for this outstanding year-end contribution.”
But this wasn’t the only charitable donation that Wally had made during his lifetime.
The Argonauts are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Wallace "Wally" Fredrick Gabler III. A true leader and fierce competitor, Wally’s contributions to the team and the sport have left an incredible mark on our history.
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) February 13, 2025
Our deepest condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/sXZh1NKvSb
Previously, he donated to Bob Rumball’s Foundation for the Deaf and Camp for the Deaf.
He also supported other organizations, including the Atlantic Salmon Federation and Trout Unlimited.
A beloved personality in his community, Wally’s former team, Toronto Argonauts, released a statement on his death. The Agros wrote,
“The Argonauts are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Wallace (Wally) Fredrick Gabler III.
A true leader and fierce competitor, Wally’s contributions to the team and the sport have left an incredible mark on our history. Our deepest condolences to his family.”
The Life After Football For Michigan Wolverines QB Wally Gabler
Son of former Oakland County Commissioner Wallace Fredrick Jr. and Carolyn Mae Gabler, Wally grew up watching his family run a successful bakery business.
So, it made sense for the former footballer to move to a corporate background after he hung up his cleats.
After retiring, Wally worked with several companies, including Bongard and Leslie Co., Nesbitt Thomson Bongard Inc., Nesbitt Thomson Inc., and Bank of Montreal Nesbitt Burns (BMONB).
He was also the founding member of the Bank of Montreal’s Private Wealth business and was considered a strong and ambitious individual.
If many former football players met their future wives during high school and college, Wally met his wife, Carole, while working for BMO Nesbitt Burns.
Before tying the knot with Wally, Carole was previously in a relationship and brought her kids from her previous relationship to the Gabler family.
Wally Gabler’s three kids, Wallace Gabler IV, Tamara, and Melissa Gabler, are private and have remained out of the spotlight.
His daughter, Tamara Gabler, is available on Facebook but has only shared a few posts.
She is married to Michael Leskovec, and the couple shares two kids: Ella and Elias Leskovec.
The former football talent’s daughter previously worked at BMO Nesbitt Burns from 2006 to 2019 as an Investment Representative.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- In his seven years in the CFL, Gabler completed 848 of 1,690 passes for 13,080 yards, 61 touchdowns, and 118 interceptions.
- One of Wally’s grandkids, Elliot Gabler, is present in the sports world but not as an athlete. Elliot is a sports information coordinator for the University of Saskatchewan athletics.
