Alfred Mitchell Sr SABA²⁵ (Fadlou and Rose / Michael and Talgie) was born on 11 Jun 1911 in Windham, Windham, Connecticut, USA and died on 15 Aug 1986 in Windham, Windham, Connecticut, USA at age 75. The cause of his death was Acute myocardial infarction due to Arteriosclerotic heart disease.

Death Notes: Willimantic Daily Chronicle, Saturday, August 16, 1986 (page 1):

Alfred “Al” Saba Sr., popular area resident, businessman, dies…

Alfred M. Saba Sr., well known Willimantic entertainer, promoter, businessman, and peace officer, died Friday at Windham Community Memorial Hospital. He was 75.

Saba was born June 11, 1911, the son of a Willimantic businessman, and displayed an affinity for singing early in life.

He was often invited to sing at area weddings, and was well known for his renditions of “Lara’s Theme.” from Dr. Zhivago. He was also affiliated with the St. Joseph’s Church Choir for many years.

He was formerly in vaudeville, and worked with the late Willimantic philanthropist Jessie Greer on productions in Willimantic.

For many years he coordinated and directed the Willimantic Minstrel Shows, and played the lead role in a celebrated production of “The Mikado” at the Willimantic Teacher’s College, now Eastern Connecticut

State University.

“He was a dancer as well. My dance partner for years,” recalled his daughter, Beverlee Saba Cook, this morning. “He was my confidante, my friend, and there wasn’t one person in our family who couldn’t call him at any time of the day.”

Saba, who was the subject of a “This Is Your Life” episode on the local Cable Television network earlier this year, was also well known for his cleaning business, Saba’s Cleaner’s, now at 920 Main St.

Saba started the business 55 years ago as an offshoot of his father’s clothing stores in the city. For many years, his delivery trucks were painted with the widely recognized motto, “You wear’m and mess’m, we clean’m and press’m.

At one point, his cleaning business included facilities in Willimantic and East Hampton, and a branch store in Stafford Springs.

He was known as “Grandpa Saver,” by the children of the last several decades, for his habit of buying Wint-o-green life savers by the box, and handing them out to kids.

Saba also led the Windham High School Class of 1985, when two of his grandchildren graduated, through the school’s alma mater, “By Green Hills Eternal,” and at his urging the students, whether choir members or not, participated.

His love for children was evident from the time his business was on High Street, facing the former police station, his daughter recalls.

If Saba saw a police car pull up with a youngster in custody, he would shut down the shop and go over to find out what wrong had been done. Depending on who it was, he might bawl the kid out, give the kid a slap on the behind, or help the youngster find an attorney if he had no money, his daughter said.

Saba was also a police officer himself, serving as a volunteer with the Willimantic force from 1946-67, retiring as a sergeant, and serving until his death on the Windham constabulary.

His civic involvement was wide ranging. He was member of the Willimantic Lion’s Club since 1960, serving as president in 1970 and ’71, and as assistant secretary for numerous state programs for that group. The family is starting a music foundation to be administered by the Lions Club in his name, the first arts scholarship fund for the local group.

Saba worked on several functions for the local Elks Lodge also.

Saba was involved with many of the efforts of the McSweeney Senior Center, and earned a certificate of appreciation from the center for acting as master of ceremonies for the center’s 1984 (I think this is the date, as there seems to be a type-o) Variety Show.

When Hartford hosted the international conference of the Knights of Columbus in 1982, Saba was chosen as grand marshal.

Politically, Saba was a well known sidelines Democrat, hosting as one point a reception for the late former Ella T. Grassa.

Saba was married for many years to his wife, Anne Saba who died several years. He is survived by three sons, Alfred Saba Jr. of Sterling, George Saba and Robert Saba of Willington’; two daughters, Beverlee Saba Cook of Woodstock, VT and Jacqueline Saba Grant of Willimantic; two brothers, Phosy Saba and Edward Saba of Willimantic, a close family friend, Marge Bentley; two step children, Burt and Jan Brown of Windham Center; 18 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Willimantic Daily Chronicle, Saturday, August 16, 1986 (page 4):

Funeral notice:

Saba–Alfred M. Sr. Funeral services will be Monday at 11:30 a.m. from the Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St, Willimantic, with a mass of Christian Burial at noon at St. Mary’s Church, Willimantic.

Burial will follow in the Old Willimantic Cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday from 6-9 p. m. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Alfred M. Saba Sr. Music Foundation, care of the Willimantic Lions Club.

Research Notes: “Al” took over dad’s Dry Cleaning business with brother Edward.

Volunteer on Willimantic Police force 1946-1967.

Al’s BC reads Alford Kirbey (perhaps meant to be Kirshy?)

Al was musically talented; played Natavia in Fiddler.

According to his DC, Al had Legionnaire’s Disease.

SSN 046-09-8094

NEED: DOMs, POMs, DODiv

Alfred married Irene Dora MANNICK,²⁶ daughter of Christopher William MANNICK and Emma PELTIER, about 1927 in Windham, Windham, Connecticut, USA. The marriage ended in divorce about 1951. Irene was born on 21 Nov 1912 in East Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, USA and died on 22 Jul 1989 in Windham, Windham, Connecticut, USA at age 76. The cause of her death was Respiratory failure due to Chronic obstructive lung disease. They had five children: Alfred Mitchell Jr, George William, Beverlee Ann, Robert Edward, and Jacqueline Rose.

Death Notes: The Willimantic Chronicle, 24 Jul 1989:

Irene (Mannick) Saba Garbarini, 76, of 138 Spring St., Willimantic, widow of the late Feury Garbarini, died Saturday at the Windham Community Memorial Hospital. She was born Nov. 21, 1912, in East Hartford, daughter of the late Christopher and Emma (Peltier) Mannick. She was a communicant of St. Joseph Church, Willimantic.

She is survived by three sons, Alfred Saba Jr. of Sterling; George Saba and Robert Saba, both of Willington; two daughters, Beverly Cook of Woodstock, Vt., and Jacqueline Grant of Willimantic; a brother, David Mannick of Willimantic; three sisters, Ella Pothier of Columbia, Helen Beaudry and Emma Squires, both of Willimantic; 17 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a sister, Mary Jennie.

The Willimantic Chronicle, 25 Jul 1989:

Funerals–Garbarini, Irene.

Funeral services for Irene (Mannick) Saba Garbarini, 76, of 138 Spring St., Willimantic, who died Saturday, were held at 9:30 a.m. today from the Bacon Funeral Home, 71 Prospect St., Willimantic, followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church. The celebrant was the Rev. Luke Walaszek. Burial followed

in the Old Willimantic Cemetery. The bearers were Scott Saba, Craig Saba, Chad Saba, Christopher Grant, Todd Grant, and Phosy Saba.

Research Notes: Irene married Mr. Feury “Babe” Garbarini after divorcing Alfred Mitchell Sr Saba, who died before she did. She was a dietary worker at the University according to her DC.

Mabel Mary SABA²² (Fadlou and Rose / Michael and Talgie) was born on 11 Jan 1908 in Windham, Windham, Connecticut, USA, died on 18 Dec 1919 in Windham, Windham, Connecticut, USA at age 11, and was buried about 21 Dec 1919 in Old Willimantic Cemetery, Willimantic, Windham, Connecticut, USA. The cause of her death was Appendicitis/Septic Meningitis.

Death Notes: Mabel Saba

Mabel, the twelve year old daughter of Fadlou Saba died this morning at St. Joseph’s hospital from meningitis. She was a pupil of the sixth grade of the Natchaug grammar school and was the oldest of four children. The other children are Edward, Alfred and Phosy Saba. The body was taken in charge of Killourey Brothers and prepared for burial at their rooms, No. 36 Union street and then taken to the Saba home, No. 75 Milk street. The funeral arrangements have not been completed.

Source: Willimantic Chronicle dated Thursday, 18 December 1919.