William "Bill" Saffares enlisted in the United States Air Force the day after the Pearl Harbor Bombing. Assigned to the Eighth Air Force in England, he was highly decorated for numerous missions flown over enemy occupied countries in Europe. Among his commendations were the Distinguished Flying Cross for meritorious action, several Presidential Citations, and the United States Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters. A Tech Sergeant, he was gunner and radio operator aboard a B-17.
Graduating from Lowell High School at the age of 15 years old, he attended Cornell University and Siena College. After the war, he returned to Upstate New York where he lived for the remainder of his life. Married for 51 years to Demetra Mouyas, Mr. Saffares was a successful restauranteur, owning and operating Sleasman's Hofbrau in Latham, NY; the acclaimed Jamaica Inn in Latham, NY; and the famous Trade Winds restaurant in Saratoga Springs, NY.
A humble, compassionate and private man, few people knew the extent of his heroism and service record during WWII until his funeral, at which time he was eulogized and buried with full Military Honors, including a fly-over by the USAF.
Graduating from Lowell High School at the age of 15 years old, he attended Cornell University and Siena College. After the war, he returned to Upstate New York where he lived for the remainder of his life. Married for 51 years to Demetra Mouyas, Mr. Saffares was a successful restauranteur, owning and operating Sleasman's Hofbrau in Latham, NY; the acclaimed Jamaica Inn in Latham, NY; and the famous Trade Winds restaurant in Saratoga Springs, NY.
A humble, compassionate and private man, few people knew the extent of his heroism and service record during WWII until his funeral, at which time he was eulogized and buried with full Military Honors, including a fly-over by the USAF.
William "Bill" Saffares enlisted in the United States Air Force the day after the Pearl Harbor Bombing. Assigned to the Eighth Air Force in England, he was highly decorated for numerous missions flown over enemy occupied countries in Europe. Among his commendations were the Distinguished Flying Cross for meritorious action, several Presidential Citations, and the United States Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters. A Tech Sergeant, he was gunner and radio operator aboard a B-17.
Graduating from Lowell High School at the age of 15 years old, he attended Cornell University and Siena College. After the war, he returned to Upstate New York where he lived for the remainder of his life. Married for 51 years to Demetra Mouyas, Mr. Saffares was a successful restauranteur, owning and operating Sleasman's Hofbrau in Latham, NY; the acclaimed Jamaica Inn in Latham, NY; and the famous Trade Winds restaurant in Saratoga Springs, NY.
A humble, compassionate and private man, few people knew the extent of his heroism and service record during WWII until his funeral, at which time he was eulogized and buried with full Military Honors, including a fly-over by the USAF.
Graduating from Lowell High School at the age of 15 years old, he attended Cornell University and Siena College. After the war, he returned to Upstate New York where he lived for the remainder of his life. Married for 51 years to Demetra Mouyas, Mr. Saffares was a successful restauranteur, owning and operating Sleasman's Hofbrau in Latham, NY; the acclaimed Jamaica Inn in Latham, NY; and the famous Trade Winds restaurant in Saratoga Springs, NY.
A humble, compassionate and private man, few people knew the extent of his heroism and service record during WWII until his funeral, at which time he was eulogized and buried with full Military Honors, including a fly-over by the USAF.
