mitchell sagan
Mitchell Sagan, Weirton native and retired business owner, died Monday, April 3, 2006, following a long heart related illness. He was 85. Mr. Sagan was born April 20, 1920, in Weirton, WV, son of the late Lawrence and Julia Rogala Sagan. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Ted and Henry Sagan. Mr. Sagan served in the Air Force during World War II, in the China India Theatre. He was a member of the original Flying Tigers serving under General Chenault. Mr. Sagan designed and painted the Flying Tiger’s ferocious Shark’s teeth design on the aircraft. He maintained regular contact with other members of the 23rd Fighter Group of the 14th US Air Force throughout his life. Upon returning to his family in Weirton, Mr. Sagan studied industrial design at Carnegie Tech, and the University of Vermont. His artwork won many awards, including several Steel Mark awards for his industrial paintings. Mr. Sagan was frequently commissioned to do paintings and also design work, including the Centennial Medical Seal for the State of West Virginia. Following college, Mr. Sagan was co-owner of the Marland Heights Pharmacy through 1973. From 1974 to 1991, Mr. Sagan was the owner of Sagan’s Hallmark. He was an active member of the Sacred Heart of Mary Church, the Knights of Columbus 3734, and a board member of the Weirton United Way. He was a former member of the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce, where he was very active on the Retail Merchants Committee. Mr. Sagan was a member of the BPOE 1801, and the VFW 2716. He was active in many community and civic projects. Mr. Sagan is survived by his wife of 52 years, Helen (Super) Sagan whom he married on August 21, 1954; his son, Dr. Mitchell Sagan and his wife Jennifer of Weirton; his daughter, Deborah Sagan Wiebe and her husband Billy of Cincinnati, OH; three grandchildren, William and Laurel Wiebe of Cincinnati and Mitchell Sagan of Weirton; his sisters Stephanie (Sagan) Kostur of Weirton and Mary (Sagan) Nogay of Washington, DC, and his brother, Stanley Sagan of Weirton. Friends will be received Thursday 2-4 and 7-9PM at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton where the Knights of Columbus Rosary will be held at 7PM and a vigil service will be conducted at 8:30PM. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated 10AM Friday at Sacred Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church. Interment will be in St. Paul Cemetery, with military services conducted by the American Legion Post 10 and the Weirton Honor Guard. Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Sagan may be made to Renaissance Weirton or Sacred Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church. Share tributes and memories at www.grecohertnick.com

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Mrs. Sagan, Chip, & Jennifer, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Dawn

  2. Dear Helen, Stephanie, Stanley and Mary. Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Mitchell was very special to many of us. He may be gone, but will never ever be forgotten in our hearts and prayers. Remember all the wonderful years we were fortunate to have known and loved him. Frances & Jack

  3. Dear Helen, Stephanie, Stanley and Mary. Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Mitchell was very special to many of us. He may be gone, but will never ever be forgotten in our hearts and prayers. Remember all the wonderful years we were fortunate to have known and loved him. Frances (Krzys) Gallagher and Jack Gallagher.

  4. Mrs. Sagan, I am very sorry to hear of Mr. Sagan’s passing. He was such a kind man. My favorite place to shop was the Hallmark store when the two of you owned it. And I still have the Precious Moments Ornament that the two of you gave me when I had my first son, Jordan. I think of you both every time I hang it on the tree(18 years later)! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Fondly, Kris Monezis Taflan

  5. Sagan family, sorry about the loss of your loving family member, I remember him well from Sacred Heart, where i went to school with Debbie, He was a very nice man and had a smile for everyone. He is in God’s hands. God Bless all that mourn him.

  6. Dear Chip,Jennifer and family, Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. Jim and Mary Lou Bonaventura

  7. Bill and Deb, I am very sorry to hear about your Father. My family will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

  8. Deb and Bill, so sorry to hear about your Father. We will keep you in our prayers. Pat, Christie, and Dionna

  9. Dear Helen, I was deeply saddened to learn of Mitch’s passing, and would like to express my sincere sympathy to you and your family. Your husband was always a true gentleman and a pleasure to talk to. He touched many lives and I appreciate that I had the opportunity to get to know him. Please accept my heartfelt condolences at this difficult time. With sincere sympathy, Jay T. Bowman

  10. Helen, You have our deepest sympathy on the passing of Mitch. I have very fond memories of going to the drug store and having him wait on me for many years. May Mitch be at peace.

  11. Dear Deb, We are so sorry to hear about your father. We are sorry we never got to meet him as he sounds like a remarkable man. Please extend our sympathy to your mother, Chip and Jennifer and the rest of your family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Linda and Charlie

  12. Helen,Chip and Debbie and all the Sagan family, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I have lost one of my very best friends. We had so much fun thru the years and he was one of my Dads biggest boosters. I enjoyed teaching both of his kids swimming and we swam alot at the Center thru the years. I was so glad I visited him on my last trip to Weirton. It was so good to see that famous smile he had for everyone that met him. Weirton has lost a great person. I will always treasure my time with him at the Drug store and at the Card shop and at the pool. I am only sorry I cannot be there to lend you support in your time of sorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you . With my love, Jerry and Carl Hamill

  13. Mitch Sagan’s Family – We’ll miss the smile that Mitch always had for everyone. Please accept our sincere sympathy. Pat and Bill Austin

  14. Dear Chip and Family- Someone once said that our lives should not be measured with the number of breaths that we take, rather in the number of times that our breath is taken away. We pray that the sorrow in your hearts may be replaced with the comfort of those lifetime memories with your Dad…he is now your Guardian Angel and will be with you always…have faith…God Bless. With our love and sympathy – Lauren, Geoffrey, Eric and Alexander Leber

  15. Our deepest condolences to the Family of Mr. Sagan. I knew him when I was a child. My Dad used to take me to the Marland Heights Pharmacy often. Mr. Sagan was there a lot of the time. He was always very nice to me. Used to call me “chief”. I never forgot his kindness to me and my Family. Tommy Wyatt and Family

  16. Deb and Bill, Please accept our dearest sympathies and condolonces for the loss of Mitch. You know from our previous conversations how much I admired him and enjoyed knowing someone who is truly an historic American hero. We will see you back home to personally share our sympathies. Chris & Sue

  17. I hardly know where to start. I feel as if a part of my childhood has passed. That smile and gracious attitude will stay with me forever. I remember all of the times that we would chat at the drug store and at church and school. Weirton has lost a wonderful citizen. Even know I can see him standing on the hill in front of his house smiling and waving to me as the car passed by. He will be missed. Fran (Fusiek) and Bob Taylor

  18. Chip, Debbie and Mrs. Sagan, I am saddened by the loss of your wonderful father and husband. I enjoyed so many days visiting your home while making science projects, playing the piano and just looking at all the beautiful artwork done by Mr. Sagan. Thanks for the memories, he will live always in our thoughts. My prayers are with you all at this most difficult time.

  19. Mrs. Sagan, Chip and Debbie, I was so sorry to hear about your Dad. He was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. There are so many good memories that come back to me of all the good people that surrounded us on Hanlin Way, and your Dad was one of the nicest. My heart goes out to you and all your family. Sincerly, Mindee Barker Glenn

  20. We are very sorry for your loss and want you to know that we will be praying for your strength and comfort in this very hard time.

  21. To the Sagan family – so sorry about your loss. Mitch was a great guy and for those like myself that grew up on Marland Heights and our “hang out” was the drug store we have lost a legend. Mitch was always so nice and helpful to all of us. You don’t know me but what may be comforting to you is how much he was liked by all and gave us fond memories.He will be missed by all. My deepest sympathy to your and your family

  22. Hey Chip, Condolences are sent to your Familys from my Mom and Dad;James and Donna Carey; my Brothers and Wives ;Stephen and Cindy Carey and Family,Charlotte NC, Jim and Alice Carey, Highland park Ill; and myself Bruce Carey. Psalm 23

  23. Dear Chip and Family, Your Father was the kindest man I ever knew. His smile lit up a room and when you came into the store, you were treated special. I know you will miss him terribly. Wrap yourself in the love and comfort of your family and friends. It will not take away the pain but it will soften the edges. God Bless all of you. Jackie

  24. Debra, Chip & Mrs. Sagan, Thank you for all the wonderful memories of knowing you all. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I really love you guys. You will always have a very special place in my heart. I prayer God will keep you in the palm of his hand through this difficult time. Love, Judy

  25. Chip, I just heard of your father’s passing, I am very sorry for your loss. You and your family have our thoughts and prayers. I read your Dad’s story and wanted to tell you what a great legacy he has left, I am a Flying Tigers history buff and had no idea of your Father’s amazing contributions. You must be very proud. Sincerely, The Mogan’s

  26. Chip I never knew your dad but from what I read in his obituary he sounded like a wonderful man. He had to be a super dad and I’m sure will be missed by many. Sicerely yours, Bernie

  27. Dear Mrs. Sagan, Chip, and Debbie, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sincerely, Susan (Jones) Bogarad

  28. Dear Mrs. Sagan, Chip, and Deb, I am extremely sorry and saddened to learn about the loss of Mr. Sagan. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sagan hold a special place in my heart that will forever be cherished. I have very fond memories of the 10 years that I worked at the Hallmark Store. I will always remember being greeted with a warm smile from Mr. Sagan each time I arrived for work. He shared so much of his genuine wisdom and wonderful creativity that I will always hold dear. I truly grew up working with the family. You will be missed–Mr. Sagan. Thanks for all that you taught me. My thoughts and prayers are with you– Mrs. Sagan, Chip, Deb, and Family. My Deepest Sympathy and Love. Kathy Galiotos Allocca.

  29. Dear Sagan Family Mitch was one of the nicest people we have ever met–always with a smile and a kind manner. We had no idea about his past with the Flying Tiger artwork. He was a great citizen of our community and our country. Our love, sympathy, and prayers are with the entire family. Tony & Ruth Licata

  30. Deb and Billy, We are keeping you both in our prayers. We know how hard it is to lose a parent and our heart goes out to you. We did have the fortune to meet Mitch at a few of your family gatherings and always felt he obviously was a man of integrity. He sure loved his family and his country. Love you both, Tom and Carrie


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