BRIDGEPORT—Father Joseph Saba, who served the diocese as a teacher, chaplain, parochial vicar and pastor died on Sunday, September 19, 2021. He was 78 years of age.
“Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Saba and for the consolation of his family,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano in announcing Father Saba’s passing. “Let us keep him in our minds and hearts as we commend him to our Lord, and also pray for all of those who are sick and struggling with illness.”
Joseph John Saba, Jr. was born in Port Chester, New York, on April 3, 1943. He was the son of Joseph John Saba and Lucy Gatto Saba. He was baptized at St. Roch Church in Greenwich Conn. on May 23, 1943. He attended Hamilton Avenue Grammar School in Greenwich, and Saint Mary High School, also in Greenwich. He began his college work at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, Conn., and studied Philosophy and Theology at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, New York.
Father Saba was ordained a deacon in the Chapel of Christ the King Seminary by Most Reverend Bernard J. McLaughlin on April 19, 1969. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Bridgeport by Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis at St. Augustine Cathedral on May 9, 1970.
Following his ordination, his first assignment was as parochial vicar of St. Mary Church in Norwalk. In 1971, he was assigned as a full-time member of the faculty of St. Mary High School in Greenwich. Two years later, he was appointed as resident chaplain at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich while continuing his work as spiritual and religion director at St. Mary High School.
Father Saba was released from his ministry in the diocese to serve as a chaplain in the United States Army, a position he held from 1977 until 1995. During these years, he served overseas in Korea and Germany. Here in the United States, he was stationed in Alabama and Louisiana.
Upon his return to the Diocese of Bridgeport, he was assigned to St. Peter Church in Bridgeport, and later St. Andrew in Bridgeport, as a parochial vicar. In 2000, he was appointed the administrator of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Bridgeport, becoming pastor a year later. He retired in 2009.
As per his direction, all services for Father Saba will be private. Condolences can be sent to Father Saba’s sister, Kathleen Saba McGoldrick, c/o Joseph Saba 111,448 Ritch Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830.
