Obituary

SABO, Eugene (Gene)

May 23, 1932 – October 12, 2021

It is with great sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Gene Sabo at the age of 89.

Gene leaves behind his wife of 60 years Gail,

sons, Scott (Carolyn), Glenn, (Kristina), Barry; daughter Shelley (Steve), and daughter in-law Yvonne; grandchildren, Jordan, Kyle, Jane, Eva, Gavin, and Lilly.

He was predeceased by his father John, mother Helen, and stepfather Jack Collier. He was also predeceased by his five siblings, baby Ben, Jeannette, Jack, Denis, and Ken.

Gene was born in Kenaston, Saskatchewan in 1932. The family moved to Sutherland, now a suburb of Saskatoon, in 1942 where his father John was employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). John passed away in 1959.

In the early 50s Gene worked summers for the CPR in many rural stations as a relief Station Agent. Later he worked full time as an assistant Station Agent in Lloydminster for three years. During the late 50s the railroads were closing up a lot of the rural branch lines and Gene realized that a Station Agent career was not a possibility. He moved over to the trucking industry which would employ him for the next 35 years.

In 1958 he started in the office of the trucking company Empire Freightways in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. This is where he met Gail and they married in September 1961. A Saskatchewan Roughrider football game was part of the honeymoon itinerary to mom’s surprise.

Their first son Scott was born in North Battleford in 1963. A transfer to Edmonton in April 1966 brought them to a brand new house. This would be their only home for the next 54 years. The second son, Glenn, was born in November 1966.

Their first and only daughter Shelley arrived in 1969. Third son Barry was born in 1970. That same year, Gene’s mother Helen married Jack Collier. They were together until Jack’s passing in 2004.Helen passed in 2010.

Gene was active in the Delwood community league through the 1970s and 80s as all his kids were involved in community sports including hockey, baseball, softball, soccer, football, and basketball. In the evenings and weekends, he was happy chauffeuring kids to all sorts of games and practices, including quite a few 6am ice times.

Gene and Gail began antique collecting in the early 80s and over the next forty years. This is something they greatly enjoyed doing together. They became amateur historians through the collecting of a multitude of Canadian artifacts. Their collection of Medalta and Athabasca Pottery were referenced by collectors and museums.. Gene’s first passion for collecting, however, was railroad memorabilia. He had a substantial collection of Canadian railway artifacts. The one regret he mentioned frequently, was passing up on the opportunity to have a full size caboose deposited in his backyard.

In 1984 Gene and Gail joined the Wildrose Antique Collectors Society of Edmonton. Here they shared common interests and made many lifelong friends with fellow collectors. The highlight every year was partaking in the annual Wild Rose Antique show at Northlands where vendors from across western Canada came to buy and sell. They took part in the show for 35 years.

Gene retired from Trans Western Express the trucking industry in 1992.

Grandchildren started appearing in 1993. These were Gene’s favorite people.

In 2020 Gene and Gail sold their home and moved ten blocks east to Emmanuel Home, They soon found themselves among new friends in a caring community. Gene was a loyal Saskatchewan Roughriders fan who rarely missed a televised game. He had a Rider gear for every occasion. Quite a few pictures of Gene show him wearing the Green and White.

Gene always had a positive outlook on life. During the last 20 years he battled and survived three different cancers. He smoked for 50 years of his life, finally giving up the habit in 2000. In the last three years, COPD took an increasing toll on his lungs. Throughout all of this he remained cheerful and often

expressed his gratitude for his life and family.

Gene had a wonderful Thanksgiving with many family members around him and insisted on eating at the little table with grandkids.

He had a kind soul and will be missed by all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life for Gene will be held on November 12th 2021. Unfortunately, due to the current COVID restrictions, attendance is limited and will be by invitation only.