Paul Sabina

Paul Sabina, 81, of Hawthorne, NJ, formerly of Midland Park, NJ, passed away on October 2, 2025. A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Paul was admired for his boundless energy, unwavering love for his family, and the youthful spirit that defined him throughout his life.
Paul was born in Solarino, Sicily, on November 16, 1943, to Giuseppe and Salvatrice (Manuele) Sabina. He immigrated with his family to the United States in 1948, eventually making a home in Elmwood Park, NJ.
He was an avid athlete and a proud graduate of Elmwood Park (East Paterson) High School. Soon after, he served his country in the U.S. Army before embarking on a long and successful career in the insurance industry, most recently as President of Insurance Design Administrators in Oakland, NJ.
In 1966, Paul met the love of his life, Shirley (Walker), and the two began their 59-year journey together. They settled in Midland Park, where they raised their children, Paul and Joanna. True to his passion for sports, Paul devoted countless hours to coaching not only his own children but also many other young athletes in baseball, basketball, football, and soccer, leaving a lasting impact on all those he mentored.
Later, after moving to Hawthorne, Paul continued to share his love of the game with the next generation. For the past 15 years, he proudly coached his grandsons' basketball teams in North Haledon, and he never lost the competitive spark himself, playing baseball into his late seventies and giving the "young kids" in the over-40 league a run for their money.
Outside of coaching and playing, Paul was a devoted New York Yankees fan, faithfully cheering on his team through every season. He also had a lifelong love of cars, enjoying the time he spent working on them and taking pride in keeping them in pristine condition.
Paul was someone others turned to for advice-thoughtful, supportive, and wise. Whether it was about sports, work, or life, his guidance left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
But more than anything, Paul's greatest joy was his family. He was endlessly devoted to Shirley, his children, and especially his grandsons, Paul and Matthew, who were the light of his life. Whether cheering from the sidelines, offering guidance, or simply spending time together, Paul's pride in his family was unmistakable and unshakable.
Paul was the very definition of fearlessness in everything he did. As a lifelong athlete, he showed what it meant to stay young at heart, never letting age define him. His energy, discipline, and love for life inspired everyone who knew him. Even in recent years, as health challenges arose, Paul faced them with the same strength, courage, and positivity that defined every aspect of his life.
Paul is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Shirley; his son, Paul; his daughter, Joanna; and his cherished grandsons, Paul and Matthew. He is also survived by his brothers, Sebastian Sabina and his wife Carol, Salvatore Sabina and his wife Lynn, and his brother-in-law, George Walker and his wife, Debra, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and a large extended family. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Tina Sabina Lane, and his brother Elio Sabina.
Paul's legacy is one of love, spirit, determination, and generosity. He will be deeply missed, but his spirit will live on in the countless lives he touched.
The Sabina family will receive friends on Monday, October 6, 2025 4:00 until 8:00 pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave, Wyckoff, NJ. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at the funeral home. Entombment to follow at Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Fair Lawn.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the North Haledon Recreation Commission, 103 Overlook Avenue, North Haledon, NJ 07508, www.northhaledonrec.org.
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