Our Hall of Fame recognizes our founders and those members whose contributions to Gabriel Homes have been significant, substantial, and long-standing. Our Hall of Fame plaque is currently hanging in St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Reston, where many of our residents worship.
The Hall of Fame started in 2023, but The Founders were honored as the class of 1982 to recognize Gabriel Homes’ first year. Since the Hall of Fame’s inception, classes have been added to celebrate the outstanding service of the Gabriel Homes community.
The 2023 inductees into the Gabriel Homes Hall of Fame are:
John Burkarth
John has lived with Gabriel Homes since 1989. He is part of the soul of Gabriel Homes and is a friend to all. He is the perfect example of our mission to enable those with developmental and intellectual disabilities to live safely and independently within the local community. John was only 22 years old when he moved to Gabriel Homes, since then he has grown into an independent, mature gentleman who has successfully maintained competitive employment in the community as well as friendly relationships with neighbors. He is also a regular and welcome visitor to many local establishments. Just as the founders of Gabriel Homes hoped, John has been able to live in a meaningful way and be a valuable member of the community through the various stages of his life. He continues to be an integral member of the Gabriel Homes and Reston community.
Fr. Bob Cilinski
In 1990, Fr. Gerry Creedon, was called to a ministry in the Dominican Republic and asked Fr. Bob Cilinski to join the board of Gabriel Homes. He agreed and two years later, became the President of the organization.
At the time, Gabriel Homes had two homes and was struggling to pay their bills. So, Fr. Bob rallied students at George Mason University and held a fundraiser where his all-priest basketball team played members of the Washington Redskins in the GMU Stadium. They raised $5000 that night and closed the Gabriel Homes’ financial books with $300 in the bank.
He vowed to not have another year like that and lead the organization to hold other fundraisers, including our premier golf tournament. Fr. Bob also helped advise the organization to create a foundation to help benefit us long term and was actively involved in fundraising efforts with the community to support stability.
In the 33 years that Fr. Bob served as President and Board member of Gabriel Homes, his contributions are endless.
Mike Holupka
In 1998, Mike Holupka was asked by Fr. Bob, to serve on the board of directors of Gabriel Homes. Mike, who was already involved in many community projects in the region, agreed to serve and assumed the role of Chairman of the board.
In the 25 years that Mike Holupka served as Chairman of our Board of Directors, Mike recognized the organization’s biggest asset are our residents and made it a priority to ensure that they lived in homes that were safe, clean, and uncluttered.
Mike provided personnel from the Anderson Company and B&B Signal to help with repairs, landscaping, building improvements and any other work needed on the homes. He has also created the Gabriel Homes Work Crew (GHWC), a group of his retired friends who go to the homes monthly to do various jobs in support of our residents.
He created board committees like the Strategic and Planning Committee to address our home maintenance and the Health and Welfare Committee to address our aging population. Mike’s gifts, in time and service, to Gabriel Homes are seen all over the organization.
Christopher Yorke
Chris moved to Gabriel Homes in 1989 when he was just 23 years old and fresh out of school. Since then, he has grown and matured into an outgoing and outspoken man who has become the face of Gabriel Homes to many in the community. He is well known and well respected in the local community, an active participant at St. John Neumann's and has a leadership role with the Knights of Columbus. Chris often represents Gabriel Homes at important events such as the KOVAR Grant Awards, Parish Events, Bishop's Masses, FCPS Transition Fairs and other occasions where Gabriel Homes wants to put its best foot forward. He is the embodiment of this organization's mission. Spend any time with Chris and you will soon realize he may be small in physical stature but big in character.