WORCESTER-Kasper “Kay” Aaron Saffer, 94, of 392 Mill Street, died Monday, March 10th at home after an illness. He leaves his wife of 62 years, Phyllis (Arslen) Saffer; 2 daughters, Pamela C. Saffer of Worcester and Leslie G. Saffer of New Haven, CT; a sister, Elsie Donoian of Worcester; several nephews and nieces. A brother, Charles A. Saffer and 2 sisters, Natalie Belezarian and Mary Baptist predeceased him.
He was born in Watertown the son of Aaron and Sophie (Atlas) Saffer and has lived here for many years. He attended Worcester and West Boylston Schools. He was a Navy veteran of WWII. Mr. Saffer was the owner and operator of Kay’s Barber Shop on Park Avenue from 1950 until his retirement in 1978. He was a member of the former St. Mary’s Assyrian Apostolic Church, an active member of the United Assyrian Association of Massachusetts, a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veteran’s Association and a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc. He was a respected resource of Ancient Middle Eastern History, a professional drummer and percussionist playing American and Middle Eastern music, a speed ice skater. He bought and sold antiques as a hobby, was an avid reader who loved gardening and animals. In the 1930’s he traveled by rail to New Mexico to dig for gold.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, March 15th at 10:00 AM, in O’Connor Brothers Funeral Home, 592 Park Avenue. Burial will be in Hope Cemetery. Calling hours will be Friday, March 14th from 5:00 until 8:00 PM. Flowers may be sent or memorial contributions may be made to UMass Memorial Home Health and Hospice, 650 Lincoln Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605.