Korean War Vet & Renowned Barber, Philip "Phil the Barber" Sabella, Dies at 91

Korean War Vet & Renowned Barber, Philip "Phil the Barber" Sabella, Dies at 91

Philip “Phil the Barber” Sabella, 91, of Pascoag passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Saturday, March 27th. He was the beloved husband of Carol (Stevens) Sabella. They have been married for 48+ years.

Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Nichola and Amelia (Testa) Sabella. He had lived in Pascoag for over 60 years previously living in Smithfield.

Phil served his country honorably in the US Army during the Korean War. He had owned several retail businesses in Greenville (Prestige Shop, Pace Setter Job Lot) as well as being a renowned barber (Phil’s Barber Shop). Phil was a NASCAR racing enthusiast/memorabilia collector, loved snow skiing, adored his coy pond, boating, and spending Sunday afternoons with his family at Pascoag Lake; otherwise, he was frequently found joking around with his many close friends or handling a project around his home or at the store.

He served as a board member of the Greenville Water District, a member of the Smithfield Zoning Board, an active Democratic Party Town Committee Member, a Grand Knight (Knights of Columbus), and an active member of the Korean War Veterans Association. Phil loved all New England sports teams and never missed watching a NASCAR race.

He was the loving father of Steven P. Sabella and his wife Susan of Charlestown, and Sharon Toner and her husband Frank of Narragansett; step-father of Donna (Menard) Shulze and her husband Albert of Springfield, MA, Michelle (Menard) Allaire and her husband Phillip of Putnam, CT, Diane (Menard) Verrocchio of Caldwell, ID and Guy S. Menard of Coventry; like a father to Linda (Wicklund) Schilling and her husband Fred; devoted grandfather of Christian Menard, Renee Salgado and her husband Joshua, Jordan Shulze, Brendan Connolle, Adam Segee and his wife Leigh-Ann, Kyle Segee, Travis Segee and his wife Heather, Michael Toner and his wife Joy, Amanda Toner, and John Toner; beloved brother of Tina (Sabella) Tellier, Mary (Sabella) Wicklund and brother-in-law to Joan (Ducharme) Sabella.

Phil was also survived by many wonderful nieces and was ‘Pop-Pop’ to twelve great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, Nicholas “Nick” Sabella, his brothers-in-law, Ronald Tellier and Weston Wicklund, his nieces Nicole (Sabella) McConnell and Sandra Wicklund, and his grandson LTjg. Francis L. “Frankie” Toner, IV, CEC, USN (KIA).

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation on Saturday, April 3rd from 1-4 pm in the Anderson Winfield Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. Funeral Home occupancy limits will be adhered to during visitation.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, April 5th at 10 am in St. Joseph Church, 183 Sayles Avenue, Pascoag. Due to Covid 19 restrictions limited seating, social distancing guidelines, and face masks must be worn during Mass.

Burial with Military Honors will be held in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Pascoag at 11 am to which everyone is invited.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of his brother, Nicholas “Nick’ Sabella (Past Chief), to the Pascoag Fire Department, 105 Main Street, Pascoag, RI 02859, or St. Joseph’s Church, 183 Sayles Avenue, Pascoag, RI 02859.