Robert L. “Bob” Sable passed away peacefully at his home in North Andover, MA on September 6, 2023, two months shy of his 99th birthday. The beloved son of Harry and Mary (Lidwin) Sable, Bob was born and raised in Haverhill, MA, and spent cherished childhood summers at his grandparents’ farm in Manchester, NH.
Bob was a 1943 graduate of Haverhill High School and immediately enlisted in the US Army. A proud soldier, Bob promoted to the rank of Staff Sargent while stationed in the South Pacific during WWII.
After the war, he attended Tri-State University in Indiana where he graduated with an accelerated three-year dual BS degree in electrical engineering. In 1953, Bob married his sweetheart, Anne Louise (Galli) Sable of Lawrence, MA. They settled in North Andover where they lived for 65 years and raised their family.
Bob worked as an electrical engineer for several companies across Massachusetts including CBS-Hytron Radio, Sylvania, Raytheon and ultimately retiring from Wang Laboratories. He also ran a small printing business in Lawrence and taught himself the art of letter press.
He loved living in North Andover and would take daily neighborhood walks well into his 90s, always pausing to talk to his neighbors. Bob spoke multiple languages but was famous for making up his own words which he attributed to being forced to learn English, Polish, French and Latin in his childhood.
He had a lifelong interest in science, technology, and nature. He was a ham radio operator, played violin, constructed his own stereo system, and made his own bullets for target practice in area gun clubs. He enjoyed spending time at his land on Merrymeeting Lake, NH, tending to his vegetable garden and fruit trees in North Andover, and caring for his two poodles Mimi and Tina.
He loved the moments spent with friends and family, especially with his grandchildren and great-grand daughter. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather who selflessly served as the devoted and loving primary caretaker for his wife Anne, never leaving her side as she battled Alzheimer’s Disease in her latter years.
He was predeceased by his wife Anne, his daughter Rosanne Sable, his brother William Sable, sisters Pauline Lane and Helen Otis, and great grandson, William A. Heffernan. He is survived by daughter Susan (Sable) Candela of North Andover, grandson Ned Small and wife Luciana (Silva) of Stoneham, MA, granddaughter Alyssa (Small) Heffernan and husband Ryan of North Andover, great granddaughter Veronica Anne Heffernan, and many nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed.
Calling hours will be held in the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover on Friday, October 27, 2023, from 7 to 9 PM. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are most welcome to attend. Interment will be privately held. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.