CASFS - In Memory

He was the one-man “Brute Squad” for ROCKY HORROR security, a lifelong fixture at Phoenix-area science fiction conventions and other fandom events (SCA, Corsairs, etc), the guy who provided all the free posters at Chandler Cinemas, and the man who had not paid to see a movie in almost ten years (because he always saw the sneak previews!). He was a true comrade, a gentle giant, and a gentleman.

His mother is not planning any services, but has given her blessing for his friends to do so. He will be missed and mourned by so many of us, in all the different social scenes that he moved within—and which he helped network between, and glue together.

I first met Kelly (Sarge) at a movie screening. He was the one giving away posters without asking for anything in return. Since then I have seen Kelly to be one of the most generous people I have met in the screening and fandom worlds. Kelly gave away most of the prizes he won with many going to his daughter. Kelly helped with the poster tables and the trailer presentation forums and asked for nothing more than any other attendee at the con. What I did not know was another side of Kelly – his minister side. Shortly after his death I found out he was a licensed minister. One of his favorite lines was “I never married my daughter’s mother but I married my daughter’s mother” (not quite a direct quote but close enough). Yes, Kelly performed the ceremony when his daughter’s mother was married to another man. Then, at the Rocky Horror memorial I learned that countless people were helped, even saved, by Kelly. It was really touching to hear the stories – I only wish I had known this side of Kelly before his death. Kelly was way too young to pass and we will miss him forever. - Len Berger.

I saw him last at Phoenix ComicCon's Sunday Barry Bard's Memorial Movie Preview. He was happy to let other people know about the free promotional posters that he got from work. His voice boomed about his work at Chandler Cinemas. Sarge was cool in giving his swag so others may have a chance to grab some cool movie stuff. One girl was overjoyed in snatching one of Sarge's swag. She was smiling as she left the room carrying the horror movie promotion.

At first, this huge guy may seem intimidating. When one got to know him, he had a wicked sense of humor but also a fan for life. He was and always will be a cool guy.

His friendship and humorous stories at the local conventions were always a delight. Others will miss him. I do and am sad to find him gone at a young age of 41. He was a presence that will be hard to fulfill. - Jeffrey Lu

Sarge (In memory of Kelly Sabucco)
by Jeffrey Lu

Security and sensitive,
Fan for life,
Deep-rooted Sith,
Humorous storyteller
Are samples of what I remembered about him.

He was big
But honest.
He was loud
But soft with friends and family.
He was Sarge.

And so,
I did not see it coming
To hear his last laugh in one discussion
Echoing throughout Phoenix ComicCon 2008:
His love of life.

So, farewell Sarge.
With a drink raised high,
I remember thee.
I sip and sit
To a really cool guy.


	Kelly “The Sarge” Sabucco 1967-2009
		We lost a member of our family this past weekend—Kelly Sabucco, aka “The Sarge”. He left us at 5:30am on Saturday, March 7th, 2009. He was 41. He leaves behind his mother Nancy and a daughter, Jonna-Rae. He was the one-man “Brute Squad” for ROCKY HORROR security, a lifelong fixture at Phoenix-area science fiction conventions and other fandom events (SCA, Corsairs, etc), the guy who provided all the free posters at Chandler Cinemas, and the man who had not paid to see a movie in almost ten years (because he always saw the sneak previews!). He was a true comrade, a gentle giant, and a gentleman. His mother is not planning any services, but has given her blessing for his friends to do so. He will be missed and mourned by so many of us, in all the different social scenes that he moved within—and which he helped network between, and glue together. Matthew Yenkala Memories of Sarge I first met Kelly (Sarge) at a movie screening. He was the one giving away posters without asking for anything in return. Since then I have seen Kelly to be one of the most generous people I have met in the screening and fandom worlds. Kelly gave away most of the prizes he won with many going to his daughter. Kelly helped with the poster tables and the trailer presentation forums and asked for nothing more than any other attendee at the con. What I did not know was another side of Kelly – his minister side. Shortly after his death I found out he was a licensed minister. One of his favorite lines was “I never married my daughter’s mother but I married my daughter’s mother” (not quite a direct quote but close enough). Yes, Kelly performed the ceremony when his daughter’s mother was married to another man. Then, at the Rocky Horror memorial I learned that countless people were helped, even saved, by Kelly. It was really touching to hear the stories – I only wish I had known this side of Kelly before his death. Kelly was way too young to pass and we will miss him forever. - Len Berger. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I saw him last at Phoenix ComicCon's Sunday Barry Bard's Memorial Movie Preview. He was happy to let other people know about the free promotional posters that he got from work. His voice boomed about his work at Chandler Cinemas. Sarge was cool in giving his swag so others may have a chance to grab some cool movie stuff. One girl was overjoyed in snatching one of Sarge's swag. She was smiling as she left the room carrying the horror movie promotion. At first, this huge guy may seem intimidating. When one got to know him, he had a wicked sense of humor but also a fan for life. He was and always will be a cool guy. His friendship and humorous stories at the local conventions were always a delight. Others will miss him. I do and am sad to find him gone at a young age of 41. He was a presence that will be hard to fulfill. - Jeffrey Lu Sarge (In memory of Kelly Sabucco) by Jeffrey Lu Security and sensitive, Fan for life, Deep-rooted Sith, Humorous storyteller Are samples of what I remembered about him. He was big But honest. He was loud But soft with friends and family. He was Sarge. And so, I did not see it coming To hear his last laugh in one discussion Echoing throughout Phoenix ComicCon 2008: His love of life. So, farewell Sarge. With a drink raised high, I remember thee. I sip and sit To a really cool guy.