Obituary of Michael Alexander Purcell Saburn

Michael A. P. Saburn, 66, passed away after a short but courageous battle with lymphoma on June 7, 2022, at Stamford Hospital. Born in Annapolis, Maryland, on November 26, 1955, Mike and his family moved to Darien in 1956. He attended Tokeneke School, St. John's School, Mather Junior High School and was a proud 1974 graduate of Darien High School. As a child and through high school, he played football, basketball and baseball and was an avid fan of all sports his entire life. After Darien High, Mike went to Providence College where he played intramural football and was a member of the legendary "Doogers" softball team. He graduated with a degree in political science from PC in 1978. He completed law school at Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, in 1981. After a few years working in law, Mike chose to enter a career in hospitality management in San Francisco. He remained there until returning to Darien in 2003 and, finally, moving to Stamford in 2015.

Mike was a sports enthusiast and life-time Baltimore Orioles and New York Knicks fan. He was a Baltimore Colts fan until he moved to San Francisco where he felt personal responsibility for every 49ers' victory, loss and championship. He was one of the most knowledgeable sports fans one might encounter and had encyclopedic knowledge of numerous statistics and teams. Besides the O's and the Niners, Mike loved and watched every PC Friar Men's Basketball game that he could in person or on TV. Last year's run was a wonderful gift to Mike as he fought spinal degeneration and, then, lymphoma.

Mike loved boating and the beach since childhood and spent many hours on the family boat and was a talented body-surfer learning from his Dad. Mike loved great food and was an outstanding cook taught by his Mom. His intensity on the athletic field was legendary and his sharp wit and keen observations were shared with friends and family. Mike loved a good time and one knew it in his presence. He loved his family members, especially his nieces, nephews and cousins as well as his friends. Friendships from grade school to his later years were always important to Michael and all will remember his "presence" and energy at any event. Mike lived life to the fullest until his body made him slow down.

A life-long Catholic, Mike discussed prayer and God as he struggled with his health challenges in the past year. Michael was pre-deceased by his mother, Elizabeth Ann Purcell Saburn; and his father, A. Walter Saburn, Jr. He is survived by his sister, E. Shawn Palermo of Canandaigua, N.Y.; his brother, Timothy J. Saburn of Exeter, R.I. and his nieces, Kelley Tonra of Avon, N.Y., Kristin Sigler of Newark, N.Y., Samantha Palermo of Greece, N.Y., Theresa Saburn of Parsippany, N.J., his nephews, Matthew Saburn of Cohasset, MA, and Robert Saburn of Oxford, Ohio and seven grand-nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on June 16, 2022, at St. John's R.C. Church, Darien, CT., at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Mike's memory to: Providence College's "Friars Forever Athletic Fund" 1 Cunningham Square, Providence, R.I. 02918. https://www.friarsforeverathleticfund.com/