William E. Saba

William (Bill) Elias Saba, 91, of Wilkes-Barre ended his journey of life peacefully while residing at Golden Living Center, Summit, Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday, January 4, 2011. Bill was born to the late Elias and Martha (Najour) Saba on July 2, 1919. He was one of 14 children. His brothers and sisters, Helen, Mary, Olga, Celia, Josephine, Sophie, Mildred, Anthony, Alexander and Simon preceded him in death. Bill married Rosalie Kaminski in 1948 and they shared 2 children-Ronald a retired Wilkes-Barre City Fire Fighter and Simon of Hunlock Creek. Bill survived the influenza epidemic, The Depression and 4 years as an infantry soldier in the United States Army during World War II where he spent 3 years in the European Theater marching through France and Germany. After the war, he settled back in Wilkes-Barre and was an automobile mechanic for Saba's Garage. He was also employed by MacShane Construction who were the builders of the maximum security prison in Dallas, PA. He later retired as a mechanic from the United States Postal Service after working for 20 years at the Wilkes-Barre Post Office garage. Bill was best known throughout the Wyoming Valley as "Blueberry Bill", having farmed blueberries at his Route 115 blueberry farm in Bucks Township for many years. After losing his wife Rosalie to cancer in 1982, Bill was blessed to meet and enjoy the company of Cynthia Cave and her children. Bill leaves behind his first family of sons, Ronald Saba, Wilkes-Bare and Simon Saba and his wife, Sandra, Hunlock Creek; his grandchildren, Cindy Sue, William S. and Elizabeth; his second family of Hillary, Nicholas, Allison, Elizabeth and John Cave. All will miss him dearly. He is also survived by a brother, George Saba, Hanover Township; sisters Louise Carol, Allentown and Eleanor Saba, Hanover Township. The funeral service will be held at Kniffen O'Malley Funeral Home, Inc. 465 S. Main St, Wilkes-Barre, on Friday at 9:30 am. The Father David Hester will be officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary's of the Nativity, Plymouth. Friends and family may call on Thursday from 6-8 pm at the funeral home.