Michael G. Sabia

Michael G. 'Mickey' Sabia, 88 of The Hill at Whitemarsh, died Monday, May 18, 2009 in Chestnut Hill Hospital, Chestnut Hill, with his family at his side. Husband of Ann Sabia of Lafayette Hill. Born in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia on November 25, 1920, a son of the late Dominic and Elizabeth (Dull) Sabia. Mike was one of the true examples of the greatest generation. He was raised in Chestnut Hill during the great depression. He joined the Pennsylvania National Guard at 17 to earn a few extra dollars. Mike's enlistment was extended after Pearl Harbor and his experience in the National Guard aided him in getting into Officer's Candidate School. When he found out that he could have an extra one hundred dollars pay by going airborne, he joined the 82nd Airborne Division. Mike served in North Africa, Italy (Anzio and Salerno), Holland (Operation Market Garden - the largest airborne invasion in history), Battle of the Bulge, Germany and at the end of World War II served with the U.S. Honor Guard in U.S. occupied Germany. Among his military awards: Bronze Star medal with two oak leaf clusters, Purple Heart, two presidential unit citations and the Belgian fourragere. When he viewed the film version of Operation market Garden ('A Bridge Too Far') he commented that unlike the character Robert Redford who was portrayed saying the Hail Mary while assaulting the Nijmegen bridge, Mike went right to the top by saying the 'Our Father.' After the war, Mike became a builder. He built a number of residential and commercial products in the Delaware Valley. Later he founded Domino Salvage, a landfill and reclamation business. He had one of the first tire shredding businesses in the U.S. He became an avid sportsman and was a member of the Wissahickon Ski Club, The Corintheon Yacht Club, Wings Airfield and Cedarbrook Country Club. Yachts and planes were his favorite toys and he shared them generously with family and friends. Mike and his wife, Ann, traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. Mr. Sabia was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association and Veteran of Foreign Wars Chestnut Hill Post 5205 and a member of the Bricklayers Local No. 1 of Pennsylvania. Mike was the ultimate grandfather, husband, father, brother and a true friend to anyone who knew him. Besides his wife, he is survived by his children: Michael G. Sabia Jr. of Lansdale, Warren Sabia of Lansdale, Gabriela of Narbeth, Andrew Sabia of Whitemarsh Twp., Peter Humes of Ramon, Calif., Timothy Humes of Lower Gwynedd, a brother, Donald Sabia of Haddonfield, a sister, Batty Podalski of Ocean View, N.J., 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter Christine E. Ely, two brothers: William and John J. Sabia. His Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, May 22 at 11:30 a.m. from St. Philip Neri R.C. Church, 437 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill with Msgr. Charles P. Vance officiating. Friends may call at the church Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Interment will be private in the National Military Cemetery at Washington Crossing. Memorial contributions may be made in Mike's memory to St. Philip Neri School, 437 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444.