Walter E. Saiko

Walter Edward Saiko, 98, of Daugherty Township, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025, at Concordia at Villa St. Joseph in Baden, Pennsylvania.

Born November 28, 1926, in Osage, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Mary and Andy Saiko.  A proud American and World War II veteran, Walt served his country in the U.S. Army in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre as an underwater demolition expert with the Amphibious Engineers, and was a long-time member of American Legion Post 19 of New Brighton.

Walt was a Professional Engineer who worked on infrastructure projects across the United States, including remote regions like Barrow, Alaska.

He was a lifetime member and treasurer of the United Croatian Club of New Brighton, where he was a beloved presence and, by many accounts, the finest polka dancer in Western Pennsylvania.  He was also a faithful member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Holy Family Catholic Church in New Brighton.

Walt was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Peggy, in 2015; his parents; and two brothers, Andrew and Frank Saiko.

He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Walter and Tamela Saiko of Parkersburg, WV; and two daughters and sons-in-law, Theresa and Jim Jeffeaux of Greenville, SC, and Bernadette and Thomas Mattica of Daugherty Township, PA.  He was a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren: Joseph and Alexis Albright, Kevin Saiko, Alton and Matthew Jeffeaux, Rachel Mattica, Alyssa Mattica and her husband David Priebe, as well as a loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.

He also leaves behind his faithful feline companion, Mačka.  Mačka was a constant comfort to Walt in his later years.

Friends will be received on Friday, July 11, from 1-3pm and again from 5-7pm at J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton, where a prayer service will be held Saturday at 9:30am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am at Holy Family Catholic Church, with Brother John Harvey officiating.

Entombment will follow at Sylvania Hills Mausoleum in Rochester.

Friends are invited to join the family following the funeral at the United Croatian Club of New Brighton from 1-4 for food and dancing, as we celebrate Walt’s life.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Concordia at Villa St. Joseph for the compassionate care provided to Walt in his final days.

Members of the Beaver County Special Unit are asked to meet at the cemetery at 11am to provide military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Walt’s name to the Twelve Loaves Soup Kitchen 1031 Second Ave., New Brighton, PA 15066, or the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.