Julius "Sonny" Sabo

In Loving Memory of

Julius (Sonny) Sabo

December 11, 1932 - June 2, 2022

Julius (Sonny) Sabo, age 89, of Brownsville, PA passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday evening, June 2, 2022 at the Henry Clay Villa in Markleysburg, where he had been since April 27th after suffering a Stroke.

He was born on December 11, 1932 in Brownsville, Pa to James and Julia (Semonsky) Sabo. He was one of fifteen children growing up in Pike Mine, on the Farm, and on Telegraph Road. He grew up during the Depression and learned to get by with very little in such a large, hardworking family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Beverly (Dee Lee);brothers, Emery, John (infant), Bertram (Bert), Steve (Pista), George (Bruce), Zolton (Zolt), Albert (Gabby), and Eugene (Genie);sisters, Julia (LuLu) Frazier, Elizabeth (Bershi) Hoffstot, Marian Neel, Gazella (Gizzy) Baker, and Marjorie (Margie) Burris.

After walking to and from various Grade Schools and graduating from Brownsville High School in 1950, he enlisted in the U.S Navy where he was a First-Class Petty Officer Radarman from 1952-1956 during the Korean War. While in the Navy, he saw many different parts of the world as he sailed on 3 different ships. Later in life, he was so very proud to be a Veteran. We were just as proud of him.

He attended Allegheny Technical Institute in Pittsburgh from 1957-1958 and became a self-employed Television/Radio repairman, which he did until he retired in 1997. When he could no longer fix televisions without tubes, he would say in his own words, “the new TVs are throwaways and just can’t be fixed.”

In 1962, he married Beverly Meese, had daughter Robin in 1963, had daughter Lori in 1967, and welcomed his only grandson, Dominic in 2001. Many happy times and memories were made with our family. We especially enjoyed our Sunday visits to Grandma’s and Nanny’s and our annual trip to Kennywood on Brownsville Day!

Daddy loved gardening! He planted various vegetables and fruits since he was a little boy on the Farm. We loved the fruits and vegetables he grew, but we truly disliked the itchy job of picking Green Beans and weeding Strawberries as little girls!

He enjoyed listening to music and dancing! He watched Channel 13, news’ channels, and Sunday football games on TV. He liked going to Flea Markets and the Steam Show. He relished Cookouts and Christmas visits to Dinie’s. He spent countless hours reading newspapers from Audrey. He searched for and saved sports’ articles involving his grandson, Dominic, whom he proudly watched grow up. Until we lost our precious Kitty last June, he relaxed every day with her in his room. Years ago, he loved spending time with Aunt LuLu and Aunt Marian and her family at her farm. He anticipated visits with his nephew, Jimmy, when he came from New York. He cherished spending his life with Dee Lee and childhood daughters, Robin and Lori. He was so happy and content as he visited his two grown-up daughters, Robin and Lori shortly before his passing. Daddy was loved and will be dearly missed!

Julius was a former member of the Calvin United Presbyterian Church. He loved the church hymns and got to enjoy them just days before he passed away. He also loved his Hungarian heritage and foods!

He belonged to the Hiller Fire Hall. He was a member of the West Brownsville American Legion and the Hopwood Amvets Post 103. He was in the Honor Guard for both and proudly attended countless memorial services.

He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, where he liked spending Sunday afternoons with friends as they watched football games together. 

He frequented the Brownsville Public Library where he would actually use a computer.

Daddy lived by himself until 2016, drove a car until his fall in 2019, and even filed his own Taxes in 2021. The Covid Pandemic and his Stroke really changed life for him and all of us.

Sonny will be sadly missed by his daughter, Lori, (with whom he resided), his daughter, Robin Prestipino, his son-in-law, Joey Prestipino, his only grandchild, Dominic Prestipino, many nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, old TV customers, and friends. He has one remaining sibling, Willam Sabo of Brownsville.

A very special thank you to Mark and Adam with Meals on Wheels who delivered meals to Daddy with a friendly smile or chat at our home, the awesome staff at the Fayette County VA Outpatient Clinic in Uniontown, the great Uniontown Hospital staff, and the wonderful staff at the Henry Clay Villa who gave our Dad such amazing love, care, and compassion during his stay.

As per Daddy’s wishes, Visitation and Funeral Services are private and are being graciously handled by the Dearth Funeral Home, 35 South Mill Street New Salem, PA.

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