Obituary of JOSEPH PETER SAAB

SAAB JOSEPH PETER-It is with saddened hearts that we announce Joseph's passing. He died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones after a long illness, at St. Joseph's Hospital on Wednesday, October 1, 2008. Joe was born in Saint John, a son the late Peter F. and M. Nagia (Tobias) Saab, who had both emigrated from Lebanon to Canada as young adults. Joe had served with the Royal Canadian Army during the Second World War. He spent much of his adult life devoting his time to two of his greatest passions... first, as a firefighter with the Saint John Fire Dept. for 29 years, until his retirement as a lieutenant in 1981, ... and second, working in the field of water well -drilling, building a successful company with his partner and friend in business, Raymond Steeves. He set the challenge of raising government and public awareness of what he considered to be Canada's most important resource, WATER. Joe was a member of the International Fire Fighters Association Local 771; a member of the Knights of Columbus; Past-President of the Canadian Lebanon Association; a member of the New Brunswick Environment Board; and Past-President of the New Brunswick Water Well Drillers Association. He was predeceased by two brothers, Phil and Frank Saab; and a sister, Norma Moses. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, the former Blanche L. "Bonnie" Kyle; one son, Peter K. of Saint John; two daughters, Lana M.(Dennis) Graves of Halifax, and Tracey A. (Daniel) Hasler, of Dartmouth; one sister, Angelina "Angie" Stephen of Saint John; 5 grandchildren, Ashley, Emily, Brittany, Jonathan, Andrea, and Darcy; and several nieces and nephews. Resting at Fitzpatrick's Funeral Home, 100 Waterloo St., with visiting on Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Monday morning at ten o'clock. Interment will take place in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society and Hestia House Shelter would be appreciated.