Gilbert F. “Sabe” Saburny Jr., 71, of Port Washington, left this world peacefully at home, surrounded by his adoring family on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, after fighting a dauntless battle with cancer.
Born on July 19, 1954, in Canton, Ohio, Sabe was the son of the late Gilbert F. Saburny Sr. and Patricia (Weaver) Saburny. He attended St. Joe’s Elementary School and graduated from Dover High School in 1972. Following graduation, he briefly studied livestock management at Ohio State ATI in Wooster. He then spent 15 years working for Kimble Clay and Limestone. Sabe proudly went on to work for ODOT in the roadway maintenance department. For 23 years he diligently spent long days and nights keeping our roads safe until he retired in 2017.
Sabe was a man of tremendous wisdom, which was evident to all in his abundant passion for maintaining the forest and land preservation on his simple family farm. Countless hours were spent bailing hay, keeping up with his large herd of goats, and playing with his beloved dogs, over the years. In his spare time, he enjoyed riding motorcycles with his many friends and family. Sabe was an animated storyteller, often talking with his hands, and loved engaging in conversation with “his” people. Many will remember his ability to capture them with a good story, his hardworking attitude, and an ornery smirk on his face.
On December 3, 1986, Sabe married Lisa (Sellards) Saburny, and the couple celebrated nearly forty years of marriage. In addition to his wife, Sabe is survived by his loving children, Gilbert Saburny III, of the home, and Ann Marie (Brandon) Gridley of Port Washington; sister, Maryann (Kevin) Tait and their children; and his favorite niece and nephew, Amber (Jordy) Burkey and Aaron “Fritz” Sellards.
Cremation has been entrusted to the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory at Dover. The family will be greeting friends at the funeral home on Monday, January 19, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. A celebration of Sabe’s life will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 5:00 pm at Tunnel Hill Community Center, 112 East Maple Street, Stone Creek, Ohio 43840. To sign an online guestbook, please visit the funeral home’s web page.
Toland-Herzig Funeral Homes & Crematory
803 North Wooster Avenue
Dover, Ohio 44622
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gilbert F. Saburny Jr., please visit our flower store.