Michael Peter Sabol

Michael Peter Sabol, age 69, an unconditional loving and selfless man, died on July 3, 2022, after complications of Leukemia. Michael was born December 14, 1952, in Weirton, the son of the late Alexander Sabol, Sr. and Theresa Zdinak.  He and his twin brother were premature and required incubation care at birth.  Michael experienced some adverse effects from incubation that affected his vision, requiring corrective lenses, however, to have known Michael was to know that he had been gifted with keen insight, especially in matters of faith. Michael was educated in the Weirton Public Schools and graduated from Weir Senior High in 1970. He furthered his education at West Liberty State College earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 1974.  He then began a career with Sherwin-Williams Paint Company in Ohio, first as a store manager then sales manager of his region. When Sherwin-Williams did a national down-sizing, he began work with Hewlett Packard and information technology until his retirement. In his youth he was active in the Boy Scouts of America first with Troup 33 of the First Christian Church and then as a founding member of Troup 63 at Assumption of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church (St. Mary’s Weirton) and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.  The scouting principles were exemplified throughout his life. He was industrious at a young age and began working in the Zdinak Family Bakery, Jo-El's at its Pennsylvania Avenue and Main Street locations from 1966 to 1970. A shining facet of Michael's life centered in his involvement at St. Mary's Weirton.  From a young age he served at the Divine Liturgies, and even ensured telephonic connectivity to radio station WEIR when the Liturgy was broadcast live every Sunday morning through local AM airwaves. He also was a commentator during the live broadcast. Michael was a part of the annual production of the parish's passion play every Palm Sunday at the Millsop Community Center. After years of lesser roles, Fr. Kushner chose him to portray Jesus as the lead in The Life of Christ. This was the capstone of Michael's spiritual core and ability to live a life of selfless giving.  He wanted each and every person he knew to have the best in life, to know they were loved and to know God's goodness.  He portrayed Christ for just under a decade in the final years of the plays twenty-five year run in Weirton. From his giving nature, Michael designed the first webpage for St. Mary’s and assisted in IT needs. Within the extended Zdinak family, Michael is counted among the family mystics, along with his Uncle Bill and Cousin Mary Jane.  To overhear all three while they were engaged in conversation was to peer into the essence of God. Michael married Dolores Olenick on September 18, 1977, and although they could not bear children on their own, they opened their hearts and home to numerous foster children and eventually were fortunate to adopt a very special one – three-year-old Megan Renee – who became the focus of their lives. In addition to his parents, Michael was preceded in death by Dolores in 2011.    Michael is survived by his uncle Peter (Roselea) Zdinak of Wilmington, DE, Aunt Faylene Zdinak of Hummelstown, PA. The light of his life, adopted foster-daughter, Megan Renee Sabol and grandchildren Madison (Tyler) Jensen, Landen, Savannah, Laston, Slayton, Mevadah & Zealand and a great-grandson, Wade Ryan Jensen – all whom he loved dearly. Whenever they called out, “Grandpa,” he put his immense “Slovak Zedo” love into hyperdrive for them. He enjoyed their every visit at the Stone Pear Pavilion when they sang: “Yes, Jesus Loves Me” and prayed the Lord’s Prayer together. Also, from the day of his birth, he cared for all of his Sabol siblings: Twin brother Alexander (Anne) Sabol, Jr., of Centreville, VA.  Sisters:  Theresa Bocek of Fairfax, VA, Cecelia (Ed) Conley of Ponte Verde, FL, Mary Ann Sabol of Charlotte, NC, Elizabeth Jane (Kevin) Miller of Toronto, OH, Veronica Zaney of Charlotte, NC, and Joanne (Doug) Smith of Harmony, PA.  His extended family includes countless nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and many cousins across the country. Michael also wanted his cherished and beloved Goddaughter Eva Stewart to know how honored he was to share this special bond of faith. Eva became like a sister to his daughter Megan and they had some wonderful visits with Michael in his last months that will be cherished for a lifetime. Michael said: “In the ups and downs of life, there is always family!” He prayed daily for them all, as well as for many others throughout his life. Over his final days “Christos Voskrese!” by Peter Milenky & band was his meditation prayer as found on YouTube at, https//youtu.be/yF_LOITBarc Following Michael’s wishes there will be a direct cremation with no visitation or viewing. A Divine Liturgy for the Deceased will be offered for Michael at St. Mary’s 5:00 PM Saturday Liturgy, Saturday, July 16, 2022. The Reverend Father Michael Huszti will preside, parish Deacon Nathanael Kline will preach the homily based in the Holy Scriptures of the Divine Liturgy, recalling Michael's strong faith and reflecting on the beautiful name Michael, who challenges us to recall; "Who is like God?' The cantor for this Divine Liturgy will be Janet Winwood. For those out of town the Divine Liturgy is broadcast live on the St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church YouTube Channel as well as the parish Facebook Page. From the time of his recent diagnosis, the Byzantine Sisters of Saint Basil the Great in Uniontown, PA, have prayed daily for Michael. He was most appreciative to the late Reverend Father Robert Jones for coming to Weirton Medical Center on May 2, to provide spiritual care allowing him to receive the Holy Mystery of the Anointing of the Sick with Penance and Eucharist. Gratitude also goes to the parish Deacon, Nathanael Klein, for his visit of June 10 at the Stone Pear Pavillion, as well as his supportive calls, texts emails & prayers. Memorial contributions can be made through Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV 26062. The cremains will be interred on the graves of Michael’s paternal grandparents in Island Creek Cemetery in Toronto, Ohio at the convenience of his loved ones. . Share tributes and memories at www.grecohertnick.com