Gabriel Nicolescou

Gabriel Nicolescou, dedicated husband and father, architect, and advocate for Romanian culture and democracy, passed away on September 11th, 2024, in his home on Paulina Street, which he had spent over 40 years renovating and transforming. Born in Bucharest on November 11th, 1944, Gabriel’s early life was shaped by the harsh realities of living under a communist regime. Graduating from the "Ion Mincu" University of Architecture and Urbanism in Bucharest in 1970, he spent eight years working in Romania, while searching for a way to freedom. Determined, he found a way out in 1978. His first stop was in Paris, where he met his beloved wife, fellow architect, Domitille. In pursuit of his American dream, he settled in Chicago in the cold January of 1979, Domitille soon followed and they married in November 1980. Together, they raised four children: Augustin, Damian, Doumitra, and Stephana. Gabriel began working for industrial architecture firms, serving as an architect at Mid-America Engineers from 1979 to 1990, and later as a project manager at John Brown/Davy McKee from 1990 to 1993. In 1993, he opened his own architecture consultancy firm, the Midwest Design Group, marking the culmination of his professional ambitions. Gabriel’s passion for his homeland never wavered, even as he built a new life in America. While working full time and raising his children, he led a number of projects to benefit the Romanian Community of Chicago and the cause of promoting democracy in Romania. In early 1989, before the fall of the Communist regime, he became involved in Romanian community issues, organizing weekly demonstrations for democracy and against Ceaușescu's dictatorship through the Romanian Freedom Forum, an organization he founded in 1989. His activism was not limited to protests; one of Gabriel's early efforts was the "Help in Romanian Journalism!" project, which brought American journalists to Romania to assist in developing a free press. He also travelled back to his home country to meet with political leaders, personalities of the cultural life, student leaders and spiritual leaders. In January 1990, he established "Democratic Romania," a bilingual monthly publication distributed in the United States and Romania. This newspaper was a vehicle for promoting Romanian culture and values, both in America and abroad, as well as supporting the fledgling democracy in Romania. Until 1995, he also served as the Illinois editor for the newspaper "Luceafărul Românesc," further solidifying his role as a cultural ambassador. In 1996, Gabriel established the "Mircea Eliade" Library in Chicago, with the support of the Romanian Cultural Foundation. Gabriel Nicolescou will be remembered not only for his professional accomplishments but for his tireless advocacy for freedom and justice. He will be greatly missed as a spouse to Domitille, loving father to his sons Augustin (Anna) and Damian, daughters Doumitra and Stephana, his granddaughter Elisabeth, his sisters Cristiana Drosu and Dana Vasilescu Courcelle (Jean-Pierre), and his nieces Gabriela, Ina, Agatha, Alexi, Daria, and their families. Visitation Monday, September 16, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. until time of Funeral Service, 11:30 a.m. at Muzyka & Son Funeral Home, 5776 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. Interment at Rosehill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Saint Paraskeva Orthodox Charity, https://www.spcharity.org. For more information, please call (773) 545-3800.

Gabriel Nicolescou

November 11, 1944 - September 11, 2024