Mar 27, 2013

Retired U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Albert Joseph Sabol, “The Captain,” 64, of Leesburg, Va., passed away unexpectedly Sunday, March 24, 2013.

He was born July 17, 1948, raised in Marianna, a son of the late Alexander “Cannon” and Helen Zamiska Sabol.

Surviving are three children, Mark (Misty) Sabol of Houston, Texas, Paul Sabol of Slidell, La., and Rebecca (Scott) Stannard of Ashburn, Va.; three grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Cannon and Eason Sabol; ex-wife Angela Johnson Sabol; two sisters, Maryann (Harry) White of Marianna and Lou Ann (Lenny) Abbadini of Waynesburg; sister-in-law Christine Sabol of York; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, is a brother, Alexander C. Sabol.

A 1966 graduate of Bethlehem-Center High School in Fredericktown, he was voted most athletic, excelling in football, baseball, basketball, golf and track. He was then appointed to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. “Uncle Al,” as he was known there, became the most versatile “multi-position” man on the varsity football team and was co-captain of the golf team.

After graduating in 1970 with a bachelor of science in oceanography, he served his country in the Coast Guard for 27 years, retiring in July 1997 as a captain. During his tenure as a Coast Guard officer, he obtained a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College and a master’s degree in international relations from Salve Regina College. He was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, among them the Coast Guard Special Operations Medal with Bronze Star and National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star.

Throughout his life, he was passionate about his family, his country and golf. As a member of River Creek Country Club in Leesburg, he could almost always be found on the course, competing and often winning a tournament, or driving his beloved grandchildren around on a golf cart. On October 5, 2011, he finally achieved his lifelong goal of a hole-in-one.

Visitation for friends and family will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 5, in Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Road North East, Leesburg, where a memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6. Burial services will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Coast Guard Morale Fund, payable to the U.S. Coast Guard. A guest book may accessed at www.colonialfuneralhome.com.