Obituary for Frank James Sabatino
Frank Sabatino passed away Sunday, April 17, 2022 at the age of 92. Frank was born to Josephine and Daniel Sabatino on November 25, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York where he grew up surrounded by family and friends. The neighborhood friends and family meant the world to Frank, and that is where he met the love of his life Carmela who happened to be living across the street. Frank and Carmela were married for 71 wonderful years, marrying on September 23, 1950. The couple lived first in Brooklyn where they had three daughters; Diane, Linda, and Doreen before moving to Ridgewood, New Jersey in 1965 where they raised their three girls and remained close with family. Frank and Carmela moved to McLean Village in Simsbury, CT in May of 2019. Frank joins Carmela, who passed away in January, 2022.
Brooklyn would play a huge role throughout Frank’s entire life, making friends in his younger years that remained close decade after decade. The friend group spent their time going to parties, dances, and spending many summer days and nights at the beach in Coney Island. As a young man, Frank raised and trained carrier pigeons. He would also go on to play semi-professional football in New York.
Serving in the United States Army from 1951-1953, Frank rose to the rank of Corporal as he was stationed throughout Europe during the Korean War, mapping roads and bridges primarily in Germany and France. After being honorably discharged, Frank began his career at Cangro Transmission. He retired from the engineering company Winsmith as an Industrial Engineer.
Both Frank and Carmela were avid travelers, oftentimes traveling with Carmela’s sister Mary and her husband John Luongo. The foursome loved taking domestic and international trips together, exploring Europe and connecting with their Italian roots. Frank and Carmela would frequently visit fellow Brooklyn friends John and Kay Strange in Florida where they would reminisce about the old days and enjoy each other’s company over cards and meals. Frank was also an avid tennis player and played weekly well into his 70’s.
Family meant the world to Frank. In Ridgewood, they remained close with Mary and John and their children Stephen and Elizabeth. As his family grew, Frank made sure everyone remained close. Frank loved getting together with family every chance he could, whether it was spending summers in Cape Cod or being together with the family for the holidays. He was always ready with a story about his rowdy childhood in New York, playing stickball and making “smoke bombs” out of model airplane kits. He will be remembered by all who knew him for the sheer enjoyment he got out of making people laugh and even dressing up as Santa Claus for his grand- and great-grandchildren during family Christmas parties. Frank had a huge heart and never shied away from telling family members how proud he was of their accomplishments. He will be greatly missed by everyone who had the great fortune of knowing him.
A special thanks to McLean and UCONN Health Center healthcare workers, caregivers and hospice nurses who made sure Frank was well taken care of and showed compassion and respect to him and his family during a challenging past few months.
Frank is survived by his 3 daughters; Diane (Bruce) Powell, Linda (George) Thayer, Doreen (Jim) Borghoff; grandchildren Katie, Chris, Jim, David, Christina and Nicholas; five great-grandchildren; and brother Bob (Ann) Sabatino.
Funeral arrangements will be held Monday April 25 at 10am located at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 1 Passaic St Ridgewood, NJ 07450. Internment immediately following mass will be held at Maryrest Catholic Cemetery, 770 Darlington Ave, Mahwah, NJ.
If you care to honor Frank, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association.
Brooklyn would play a huge role throughout Frank’s entire life, making friends in his younger years that remained close decade after decade. The friend group spent their time going to parties, dances, and spending many summer days and nights at the beach in Coney Island. As a young man, Frank raised and trained carrier pigeons. He would also go on to play semi-professional football in New York.
Serving in the United States Army from 1951-1953, Frank rose to the rank of Corporal as he was stationed throughout Europe during the Korean War, mapping roads and bridges primarily in Germany and France. After being honorably discharged, Frank began his career at Cangro Transmission. He retired from the engineering company Winsmith as an Industrial Engineer.
Both Frank and Carmela were avid travelers, oftentimes traveling with Carmela’s sister Mary and her husband John Luongo. The foursome loved taking domestic and international trips together, exploring Europe and connecting with their Italian roots. Frank and Carmela would frequently visit fellow Brooklyn friends John and Kay Strange in Florida where they would reminisce about the old days and enjoy each other’s company over cards and meals. Frank was also an avid tennis player and played weekly well into his 70’s.
Family meant the world to Frank. In Ridgewood, they remained close with Mary and John and their children Stephen and Elizabeth. As his family grew, Frank made sure everyone remained close. Frank loved getting together with family every chance he could, whether it was spending summers in Cape Cod or being together with the family for the holidays. He was always ready with a story about his rowdy childhood in New York, playing stickball and making “smoke bombs” out of model airplane kits. He will be remembered by all who knew him for the sheer enjoyment he got out of making people laugh and even dressing up as Santa Claus for his grand- and great-grandchildren during family Christmas parties. Frank had a huge heart and never shied away from telling family members how proud he was of their accomplishments. He will be greatly missed by everyone who had the great fortune of knowing him.
A special thanks to McLean and UCONN Health Center healthcare workers, caregivers and hospice nurses who made sure Frank was well taken care of and showed compassion and respect to him and his family during a challenging past few months.
Frank is survived by his 3 daughters; Diane (Bruce) Powell, Linda (George) Thayer, Doreen (Jim) Borghoff; grandchildren Katie, Chris, Jim, David, Christina and Nicholas; five great-grandchildren; and brother Bob (Ann) Sabatino.
Funeral arrangements will be held Monday April 25 at 10am located at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 1 Passaic St Ridgewood, NJ 07450. Internment immediately following mass will be held at Maryrest Catholic Cemetery, 770 Darlington Ave, Mahwah, NJ.
If you care to honor Frank, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association.