Neal E. Saffer

Neal E. SAFFER (1924-2010) Neal passed away peacefully at home due to heart failure on May 15th, with his wife, Margaret, by his side. Neal was born in Muncie, Indiana on Feb. 11, 1924. He is preceded in death by his father, Matthew, his mother Crystal and his brother Derald. He is also preceded in death by his daughter's husband, Gary. As a young person, Neal was an Eagle Scout, an all-star basketball player, a dancer, a drummer in a jazz band, and a race horse jockey. He graduated as president of his class and captain of the basketball team in high school. He served in the Coast Guard during WWII from 1942-1945 aboard the USS Aquarius, and was coxswain of a landing barge that made 8 invasions. During the Leyte invasion, his landing barge was sunk by artillery fire and Neal received a letter of commendation for "his cool execution of his duties under continued fire, contributing to the saving of dazed and wounded Army personnel being transported." He married Margaret Sleno on his birthday in 1950 and moved to Seattle where he was in the Finance Business for several years as a loan officer. He and Margaret eventually became owner-operators of Quesnel's restaurant in West Seattle and enjoyed serving their customers for 25 years. Neal was the chef. He and Margaret moved to Port Orchard in 2004, and attended St. Gabriel's Catholic church. Neal was an avid fisherman, bird hunter, & golfer. He was a very generous & loving man, who loved to spend time with his family & friends. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Saffer; his daughter Diane Hillaire; His grandchildren Voir (Cecilia) Hillaire, Tawnya (Ashraf) El-Masry; and Garron (Marie) Hillaire; his great grandsons Henry Hillaire and Demytrius El Masry; sisters-in-law Betty Gregg, Marie Sleno, Pat (Larry) Whalen, and brother-in-law Jim (Ann) Sleno; nieces and nephews Sherry (Harry) Wright, Mike (Karen) Saffer, Karen & Bill Sleno, Janet (Andy) Alexander, David (Vicki) Whalen; and great nieces and nephews Noah Saffer, Kelly Bergdohl, Angie LeBoyteaux, Madelyn & Jacob Alexander, Monica & Adam Whalen. Viewing - Wed. May 19 7-9 pm Rill's Chapel's 1151 Mitchell Ave, Port Orchard. Funeral Mass - St. Gabriel's - Thurs. May 20 at noon - 1150 Mitchell Ave, Port Orchard. Burial Services - Forest Lawn Mausoleum Fri. May 21 at noon - 6701 30th Ave SW Reception to follow the Funeral Mass at St. Gabriel's in Port Orchard. Reception to follow the Burial Services at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in West Seattle. The family requests donations to a Veteran's organization or Medic One in lieu of flowers. Online memorial at www.rill.com