Nicholas A. “Skip” Sabella Sr., 83, of Osceola Mills died peacefully in his sleep and surrounded by his beloved family, on Monday, Oct. 19, 2015.
Born Dec. 26, 1931 to the late Armond and Elizabeth Sabella, he spent his early life growing up in Barnesboro, graduating from Barnesboro High School.
On Nov. 20, 1952, he wed the former Ellen Robinson, who survives him at home. They soon started a family and moved around several times before finally settling in Osceola Mills.
In life, Mr. Sabella was a brilliant and gifted mechanic. He achieved master mechanic on numerous construction projects before transitioning to the surface mining industry.
After an injury, he retired from C&K/Cambria Coal and devoted himself to working on his old Ford trucks and to his grandchildren who affectionately nicknamed him “Bup.”
He also became a fixture at his sons’ businesses, Centre Drilling Inc. and Nick Sabella Racing, where employees and regulars also knew him as “Bup.”
Mr. Sabella was a natural conversationalist, making friends wherever he went. He had an uncanny ability to relate with whomever he would come across.
He was a skilled storyteller and a pillar of wisdom with a one-of-a-kind sense of humor accompanied by his sly “Buppy Smile” smirk. He is now and forever will be terribly missed by his family.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Nicholas A. Sabella Jr. of Osceola Mills and his fiancée, Elaine Verost, and Richard G. Sabella and his wife, Lee Ann of Philipsburg and three grandchildren, Richard L. Sabella and his wife, Kristin of Houtzdale, Holly E. Sabella and her fiancé, Brandon Kick of Portage and Casey L. Sabella of Philipsburg.
He was the eldest child of his family and is survived by two brothers, Robert of Barnesboro and George of Spangler and a sister, Sandra Miller and her husband, John of Hastings and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Geraldine Hawkins of Morrisdale, a brother-in-law, Jim Force of Philipsburg and his beloved companion Chihuahua, Cinnamon.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Maureen Sherry and his sisters-in-law, Janet Smith, Dorothy Dare and Nancy Force. He was also preceded by a brother-in-law, Harry Hawkins, a nephew, Bill Hawkins and a niece, Sharon Force.
A memorial service will be held 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 at the Kruise-Spewock Funeral & Cremation Services Inc., Madera.
Condolences may be made at www.kruise-spewock.com.