Obituary of Leon J. Saffer

Leon J. Saffer PEABODY--Leon J. Saffer, 88, beloved husband of the late Patricia (Dowdell) Saffer, died peacefully on Wednesday November 19, 2014 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, while in the comforting presence of his family. Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Bagdasar and Christine (Boisvert) Saffer. He grew up there where he attended schools and graduated from Salem High School. As part of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Saffer enlisted into the United States Navy during World War II. He served on the D-Day Invastion to Normandy at Omaha Beach. After the war, he toured around the country and experienced several odd jobs. He settled as an Electrical Machinist at the United Shoe in Beverly where he worked his career. Leon was a member of the A.O.H. in Salem, played horseshoes, grew tomatoes in the garden and was a good cook—remembered for his Cabbage Rolls. He enjoyed traveling to Port Charlotte, FL, playing Cribbage and Backgammon, as well as a gifted woodworker crafting cabinets and birdhouses. His biggest devotion was to his family and they will miss him very much. He is survived by two daughters, Cheryl & her husband Andy Broughton and Nancy Saffer all of Peabody; a son, Gary & his wife Tammy Saffer of Georgetown; four grandchildren, Jonathan L’heureux & his wife Liz and Allison L’heureux both of Peabody, Adam Saffer and Amanda Saffer both of Georgetown; two great-grandchildren, Nicholas DeMonico, Jr. and Chase DeMonico both of Peabody; two brothers, Alphonse Saffer of Peabody and Donald Saffer of NH; sisters-in-law Beatrice Saffer and Sandra Dowdell and brothers-in-law Ed Nolan and Jack Dowdell, many nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog Bode. He was preceded in death, besides his wife and parents, by brothers Harry and Robert and sister Rose Swindell. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather on Monday November 24, 2014 at 9 AM from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 AM in St. Ann’s Church, Peabody. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 3 – 6 P.M. in the funeral home. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Memorial donations may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.