Andrew V. Saba, 77 of Halifax, passed away on October 17, 2017. Born on May 3, 1940, to Andrew Vincent Allegra and Evelyn Mae (Battles) Allegra in Brockton, Massachusetts. He also had a sister Jeanette born in 1942. Dad and Aunt Jean did not have an easy life. They lived in an abusive household with an alcoholic father. Evelyn would leave with both kids but she found out that being a single mother in the 1950's without family support was difficult.

Eventually, my dad and his sister Jean were placed in the Holy Child Orphanage in Franklin, Massachusetts which was run by The Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis aka Bernardine Franciscan Sisters. In fact, Dad was placed in three different group homes which he would run away from. Dad would live on the streets and sleep in doorways. He would perform odd jobs for several merchants in the Brockton area. One of the merchants owned and operated Saba Plumbing Supply Store. Dad befriended the owners sons, Eddie and David Saba.

The owners, Irene and Edward Saba, noticed that my dad wore the same clothes everyday and learned my dad was a runaway with no family who would take care of him. The Saba family let my dad stay with them in return he would help out with the store.

Irene (Nana) Saba convinced my dad that he should go back to school and graduate, so at the age of 17, my dad became a freshman at Brockton High School. During this time, my dad's biological parents relinquished their paternal/maternal rights to Jean and she was adopted by a different family. Unfortunately, they would not give up their paternal/maternal rights to my dad.

Despite this set-back, the Saba family was able to give my dad a home. Dad graduated Brockton High School in 1960 at the age of 20 and decided to join the Air Force where he trained canines for military and civil service. Prior to joining the Air Force, the Saba family tried to adopt my dad, but due to dad's biological father refusing to relinquish his rights, the Saba family was only able to obtain guardianship of my father and therefore my dad decided to change his last name to Saba.

Dad was stationed in Lincoln, Nebraska at what is now known as air park as a canine handler for the military police. During the weekends, he would volunteer his time at Saint Elizabeth Hospital where he met a student nurse by the name of Sharon Kamler. Dad would marry Sharon and they both moved to Massachusetts and had three daughters, Lorraine, Sharyl and Ra'chelle.

Unfortunately, the marriage did not work out and mom and Dad divorced. But this would be a blessing in disguise because soon after, dad would meet the love of his life, Ann MacKinnon when they both worked at Nabisco. Dad was smitten from the beginning even if Ann was 15 years his junior. He pursued her and she finally said 'yes' and agreed to go out with him. On July 9, 1977, this 'yes' turned to an 'I do' and from this union, dad and Ann would have three children, Andy Jr., Justin and Jennifer. Dad then joined the Coast Guard where he served as an arms instructor and Port Securityman 2nd Class, retiring in May of 2000.

He also became a Halifax Police Officer retiring after more than 25 years of service. Andrew was known to everyone in town as Officer Friendly. He was the bus safety officer for Halifax Elementary School. He was everyone's friend. He also served on several committees and boards for the Town of Halifax. He loved his family, friends, flying, antique cars, and rescued and befriended many animals.