An attorney and a stand-up comedian is a combination you don’t find together often.

But those two professions were just the beginning of what made George Amjab Saba Jr. special.

George Amjab Saba Jr.

“His goal was to help people who could not afford an attorney,” said his brother Paul Saba. “To help those who didn’t have a voice; to advocate for them.” Throughout his law school years, Saba was a member of a service group who provided family law services to those who could not afford representation. He was always willing to give advice when asked.

Saba was an active member of the American Federation for Palestine, and went to Ramallah to perform community service. Even while owning his own criminal defense practice in Dearborn, he remained active in the community, fighting for civil rights and working to end discrimination.

“He was always taking court appointed cases for those who could not afford an attorney,” Paul said.

Saba obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 2006, and graduated from Wayne State Law School in 2009. He was admitted to the state bar in both Michigan and New York.

Although Saba practiced law, his real passion was the arts. He was known for his smile and his quick wit, which brought delight to those around him.

“Anytime you ask anyone about him, the first thing they mention is his smile. He had an infectious smile,” said Paul. “Although it sounds like a cliché, he lived every day to the fullest.”

Saba did stand-up comedy in Michigan and participated in the Arab American Comedy Festival in New York. He loved laughter so much that in his law school personal statement he said ‘a day without laughter is a day wasted.’

Saba succumbed to a congenital heart defect on Friday, February 4. He was 26 years of age, when he passed away from a massive heart attack.

“He had so many goals, because the doctors said he wouldn’t accomplish much,” Paul said. “His goal was to prove the doctors wrong.”

Before his death, Saba was working to start a federation or a charity for those without a voice. His brother said the family will keep his dream alive.

Surviving Saba are his father, George Saba Sr, director of immigration services for ACCESS, his mother, Itidal, his brother Paul Saba, also an attorney in Dearborn, sister-in-law, Jomana, a sister Janan Saba, and host of aunts, uncles and cousins.

“His heart was the strongest of anyone we knew,” said Paul.