Edward N. Sable

Edward Sable, 88, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away on December 1, 2020. Edward was born in Newark NJ where he lived with his mother, Birdie, his father Jack and his older brother, Murray. He was elected president of his class at Chancellor Avenue School and lead a 1945 boycott of the Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest, protesting a racist policy that refused to permit pianist Hazel Scott to perform at Constitution Hall. He met his best friend, Donny Wolk at Chancellor Avenue School and their friendship lasted for the rest of his life. Edward graduated from Weequahic High School and attended Rutgers University before graduating from New York University with a degree in Business Administration and a commission in the US Air Force.

While in school, Ed entertained his classmates with his deep voice, imitating Mel Allen's New York Yankee broadcasts and serving as the self-appointed sportscaster during baseball and basketball games he played on the streets and sandlots of Newark.

Ed served as a finance officer in the US Air force from 1955-1957. He was promoted to captain in 1957.

On December 30, 1954, three months prior to moving to the Chandler Arizona Air Force Base, Ed went on a double blind date with the woman he would spend the rest of his life with. Arlene thought that he was too young for her, but his smile and wit won her over.They spent most of their courtship corresponding by mail and phone, which in 1955 meant that they spent a lot of time waiting to hear from each other. They were married on April 8,1956 and recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

Ed and Arlene made their home on Marcy Place in West Orange, NJ where they raised three children, Susanne, David and Andi and two dogs, Dino and Spunky. Ed enjoyed bowling, playing tennis and attending plays at the Paper Mill Playhouse. He and Arlene traveled extensively, visiting Europe and Brazil among other destinations, but when asked recently where he would live, if he could live anywhere, Ed chose New Jersey.

Ed, ambitious and optimistic, worked in sales until he was 85 years old. He had stores throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. Ed ran his company Norman Sales with the philosophy, “Listen to people and they will tell you what’s important to them.”

Ed took pride in his family and prioritized his children's' educations. He sent all three to graduate school where Susanne became a lawyer, David a doctor and Andi an occupational therapist. As the family grew, he welcomed his son's-in-law, Joe Lustig and Ron Finkelstein and his daughter-in-law Priya Mayadas and the second generation of in-laws, Jason Litt and Stephen Luhman. Ed had a special talent for making his children and grandchildren laugh with silly songs, nicknames and stories. He enjoyed sharing the adventures and successes of his grandchildren Joshua, Kimberly, Lindsay, Sam, Nikhil, Dana and Tarana. "Papa" adored his two great granddaughters, Miriam and Eliza.

Ed and Arlene moved to Maryland two years ago where Arlene still resides.

Donations in Ed’s memory can be made to the NAACP, Autism Speaks or Col. Potters Cairn Rescue Network.