Richard R. Sabol

Tupelo - Richard R. Sabol, 86, died Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at The Sanctuary Hospice House after a brief five week illness. He was born April 5, 1922, in Yonkers, New York. He was a swim team member at his Yonkers high school in the late 1930s. In time of peace he was a kind hearted friend and gentleman, but in time of war he was a soldier.
During World War II, he served as Line Foreman Army Sergeant in the Signal Corps in the 988th Signal Service Battalion. He served four years in the military campaigns in India, China, and Burma. He received three battle stars and service plaques. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, the American Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans chapters in New York, Florida, and New Mexico. In 1977 he retired after 32 years as a Lieutenant Correctional Officer with the New York State Department of Corrections. He loved his wife and family, good conversations with family and friends, gardening, listen to big band music and helping his church and other Christian service organizations. He contributed financially to many Christian organizations over the past 45 years. He was a smart, self educated man with many friends who benefitted from his kindness and generosity through the years.

A memorial service will be held at Bethel Baptist Church in Hopewell Junction, New York. His ashes will be laid to rest at the church cemetery there. Pastor Ralph Verdu will conduct the service.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 61 years, Dolores Gamba Sabol; one daughter, Jean Sabol Hastings (David) of Tupelo; one son, David Lawrence Sabol of Beacon, New York; two grandsons, David Warner Hastings and Jonathan Sabol Hastings, both of Tupelo; one step-brother, John Matteo of Fishkill, New York; and one step-sister, Emma Marsh of Connecticut.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214.