Harold "Saaly" R. Saal

Harold “Saaly” R. Saal, age 96, of Massillon passed away peacefully on Tuesday June 1, 2021. He was born in Rittman, OH on October 3, 1924 to the late Arthur and Cora (Gerber) Saal. Harold was a 1942 graduate of Brewster High School. Following graduation, he felt the call of service and joined the Army Air Corps and was at the front of the line to officially become an airman at the inception of the United States Air Force in 1947. During the Korean War, he was a waist gunner on a B26 Invader that was shot down behind enemy lines, an event for which Harold was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. He proudly served for 22 years and retired from active duty as a Senior Master Sergeant on June 1, 1965. During his service he and Zora, his bride of nearly 75 years, enjoyed traveling to and living in places most people only dream of visiting. From France to Holland and from Japan to Greenland, the Air Force sparked a joy of traveling that continued even after his military service ended. Harold relocated to Ohio following his military career and was employed by Union Metal in Canton as the Chief of Security until his retirement. Harold enjoyed a lifelong love affair with sports in general and baseball in particular. He could often be found taking in a game from his favorite chair and rooting on his beloved Cleveland Indians. Harold is survived by Zora (Kolich) his wife of 74 years, daughters Sandra (John) Holva and Karen (Steve) Haley, several grandchildren and great grandchildren and his sister Carol (Saal) Greig. A celebration of Harold’s life will be held on Saturday, June 5th from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Paquelet Funeral Home in Massillon. The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of the service. The entombment committal service will be for the family only at Sunset Hills Memory Gardens. Messages of sympathy and support can be sent to www.paquelet.com