Peter John Sabo

Peter John "Pete" Sabo, age 88, of Alma passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, in Northern Michigan surrounded by family. He was born January 25, 1936, in East Chicago, Indiana the son of Peter and Ann (Negrilla) Sabo.
Pete was an entrepreneur and real-estate investor. He and his brothers, Don and Ede, owned and operated Sabo Pharmacy in Ithaca and served the community for many years. They shared their first business success with the creation of Chapmagik skin moisturizer. He provided the patrons of Sabo Pharmacy with soda fountain pops, sandwiches, and never let a child walk out of the store without an ice cream cone. Pete also owned Ith-A-Clean Laundromat and what is now known as the Country Chef Restaurant in Ithaca. He was a past member of the Ithaca Rotary.
Pete began working at Playbouy in Alma in 1986 and as one of the owners of the company he has watched it grow to the thriving business Avalon & Tahoe has become today. He was proud to have been able to give back to the community. As an employer, he valued his employees and their commitment to him. He personally enjoyed interacting with his employees and getting to know their families. He was truly honored by their hard work and loyalty, and always spoke so fondly of them.
Pete had a great love of the outdoors. He enjoyed spending time in nature at his cabin on Tamarac Road, hunting and fishing. Pete had a great fondness for playing golf and was a member of Pine River Country Club, and the Gratiot County Club, now The Fields in Ithaca. He was also a member of the Golfing Association of Michigan and enjoyed traveling the State of Michigan to play at different courses. Pete also enjoyed bowling, panning for gold out west, taking flying lessons, and a brief experience with scuba diving. He loved taking long drives, collecting antiquities, and reading.
He volunteered as a referee for the Special Olympics in Mt. Pleasant and refereed in Ithaca for adult co-ed Volleyball.
Pete could often be found, "tinkering" in his workshop in Edmore. He had an affinity restoring, refurbishing, woodworking and gifted his family many special pieces they will always cherish. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family at their cottage in Northern Michigan on Torch Lake, especially over the last few years.
Pete was an exceptional cook and loved sharing his traditional Romanian family recipes. He was known for his Chicken Stew and Sauerkraut.
Pete lived life to the fullest and made sure he took advantage of every hour of the day. He will forever be missed and remembered for his authenticity, his strength, his work ethic, his humor, his "Pete-isms," but most of all his friendship, and for being a loving father and devoted husband.
Pete is survived by his wife of 30 years, Diana Torres-Sabo; his children, Taralina (Alycia) Castillon, Andrew Castillon, Laura (Joe) Cavett, Peter Sabo, Stephanie (Bill) Sabo, Mary Sabo, John (Jacquie) Sabo; five grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Maureen and SuLi Sabo; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Ann, and his brothers, Don and Ede Sabo.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024, at 11 am at Lux-Moody-Wolfel Funeral Home, Alma. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 15th from 5-8 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Kali's Cure for Paralysis or the Pardee Cancer Treatment Fund.