| Date of Birth | April 11, 1933 |
| Date Deceased | August 24, 2024 |
| Hometown | Hornell |
| Home State | N.Y. |
| Service Date | September 21, 2024 |
| Service Time | 9 a.m. |
| Service Location | St. Ann's Church, Hornell |
| Interment Location | St. Mary's Cemetery, Town of Fremont |
Donald J. Saam
FAYETTEVILLE/HORNELL – Donald J. Saam, 91 of Fayetteville, NC, formerly of Hornell, passed away on Sunday (Aug. 24, 2024).
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 34 years, Rosemary (Galbo) Saam and his son, Nicholas Saam.
He is survived by his children: Bill and Debbie Saam, with whom he lived in Fayetteville NC, Margie & Marc Rixford in Oakwood, GA, John and Sharon Saam of Huntsville, Ala, Kathy & Keith Wheelock of Biloxi, MS. He also leaves behind his 11 grandchildren and their spouses, 16 great- grandchildren, brother-in-law, Peter Galbo, nieces & cousins.
Born on April 11, 1933 raised in “Pig Pen Alley” Susquehanna, PA, (living among his many aunts & grandmother). Don moved to Hornell as a young teenager with his mother and stepdad, Cecil Husted. At the age of 16 he began working and living on a dairy farm owned by Stanley Smith. Don was a graduate of Hornell Senior High School, Class of 1951.
Stanley had a great influence on Don’s life and at age 20 enlisted in the United States Air Force spanning a 20 year career with his wife Rosemary & family. They enjoyed living in different states and countries while adding five children to their family
Upon retirement from US Air Force in 1972 Don returned to Smith’s Stock Farm in Hornell for a few years before establishing Don Saam Insurance Agency. Upon running a successful business, Don retired in 1997.
After Don lost his beloved bride in 1990, he began to travel often to visit his children in different states. Especially supporting his military family members and attending their functions. Don was a devoted family man who cherished time spent with his loved ones. In 2000 Don moved to North Carolina where he resided with son Bill & Debbie Saam staying busy working with them in their Tent Rental Business. He made many friends and acquaintances there also, and many enjoyed his “Goatisms”
Don enjoyed taking his kids/grandkids on adventures up the Erie Canal in New York, and South Carolina on his boat. He enjoyed catching military flights from North Carolina to visit his daughter Kathy & family in Biloxi, MS to enjoy the casinos.
A lover of nature, he found peace and joy in the great outdoors, often sharing his passion for nature with those closest to him. He passed away leaving behind a legacy of service, love and dedication to his family which he loved dearly and will be forever missed. A friend to many and also known as the “Ring Man” or $2 tipper.
Calling hours are from 4-6 p.m. Friday (Sept. 20, 2024) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell. Relatives and friends are invited to join his family at St. Ann’s Church, 31 Erie Ave., Hornell where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 21, 2024). Committal prayers and interment, with full military honors, will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont. A luncheon will be held at The Main Place, 251 Main St., Hornell after the services at the cemetery.
The services will be live streamed and may be seen either on the homepage of www.bishopdesanto.com or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home for 30 days beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 21, 2024).
The United States flag and the Air Force flag will proudly fly at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home in recognition of Don’s military service.
In lieu of flowers, donations or memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org , Shriners Children’s Hospital, https://lovetotherescue.org or Liberty Hospice Services, 2334 South 41st St., Wilmington NC 28403 in Donald’s honor for their caring and compassion. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at funeral home and church.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Don’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Don are welcome below in the comment section or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
I knew Don quite well back in the 80’s and 90’s. He was my insurance man, him and his wife attended my wedding. Don even did our wedding video which we still have. He sent me a few Facebook messages through the years. He was super proud of his kids, he would tell me how much he missed his wife. Don will be missed, I have wonderful memories of our times together back years ago.
We remet after many many years in Yorktown about a year and half ago it was wonderful seeing u and your dad and remembering that iconic picture of your dad holding my brother ( who just turned 70) in his hand! So glad he told the time to look us up and keep in touch! The Karp family
Don “Uncle Saam” will always be remembered as a unique, especially humorous man who loved his Country, Family and Military Service. Uncle Saam is likely, joyfully, reuniting with Aunt Rose and Nick in Heaven. And probably playing his ukulele between dancing with “Rosie”. The last conversation we had at Bill’s home in NC was still full of humor and love of family. He enjoyed his hubble in Bill and Debbie’s home. Rest in peace Uncle Saam. May the entire Saam Family find peace with this loss.
I knew the Saam family from my family and their weekly card games in my parents kitchen ( Miller’s ) . Don and Rose were a fixture in our life until I moved to Florida. Not much contact after that but I sure missed out on a lot. Now Don, Rose, Thelma and Russ are again playing cards together!!