Stuart John Sawabini

1953 - 2025

Stuart Sawabini
Stuart John Sawabini passed away peacefully on 22 October 2025 surrounded by his loving family, after an almost two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Stuart was born on 16 October 1953 in Burlington, Vermont to Abbe and Dr. Wadi Sawabini. He grew up with his siblings, Wadi and Fred and Julia, in a loving home that embraced all Vermont had to offer. He became an expert skier in the Green Mountains and in the summertime enjoyed tennis, sailing, and water-skiing on Lake Champlain at his family's Cedar Beach cottage. Stuart attended Eaglebrook School, Philips Academy Andover and earned his Bachelor's degree at the University of Vermont. After graduating in 1977, Stuart worked as an Admissions Officer at Andover, where he helped lead the school's Bicentennial celebration, before returning to Vermont to join the French ski company Rossignol. With his entrepreneurial spirit, Stuart co-founded the APL Group in Wilton, Connecticut, a software and services firm specializing in electronic data interchange. During this time, he met his wife, Nicoline, after a night of laughter and dancing at the Gates Restaurant in New Canaan. While raising a family, Stuart embarked on a second entrepreneurial venture, Eventra, focusing on improving communications between manufacturers and suppliers. A strategic and inspiring leader, he served as Chairman of the Board until retirement in October 2001. After two decades as an entrepreneur, Stuart's turned his focus to public service. For more than ten years, he served as New Canaan's Police Commissioner. Stuart also served on the town's Emergency Preparedness Committee, directed the public safety radio upgrade initiative and was a proponent of the new police headquarters. For those who volunteered for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), they may well remember Stuart, dressed in hard hat and identifiable yellow raincoat. Stuart later served as CERT's Executive Director and was a member of the Office of Emergency Management. Stuart's greatest love was always his family. He was devoted to his wife, Nicoline and their daughters, Kathryn and Abigail. He joined Kathryn on stage in New England Dance Theater's Nutcracker ballet performances and served on its Board of Directors. He coached recreational lacrosse and soccer and was a constant presence at Abigail's games. A true renaissance man, Stuart will be remembered for his hospitality, incredible cooking and love for the outdoors. The Sawabini household was a cherished place for dinner parties and family holidays. He loved hiking, sailing Lake Champlain, carving down the ski trails, tending his vegetable garden and photographing the multitude of travel and family life he was blessed with having. Stuart is survived by his wife of thirty-five years, Nicoline, daughters Kathryn (Daniel) and Abigail (Ryan) and his loyal dog Whistler. His is also survived by his three siblings Wadi (Mary), Fred and Julia (Jeanne) and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. At 11 a.m. on Monday 3 November, a Memorial Service will be held at The Congregational Church of New Canaan. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to a charity of your choosing in Stuart's honor. For online condolences, please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com