Joseph "Joe" Sabatini

Joseph “Joe” Anthony Sabatini, aged 83, passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at Fletcher Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.

Joe was born in Englewood, NJ to the late Ettore and Blanche Sabatini. He was also preceded in death by his wife Eugenia “Gene Ann” Tull Sabatini and younger brother Edward L. Sabatini.

Joe joined the U.S. Navy in 1959 and was honorably discharged after four years of service. During his time in the Navy, he served on aircraft carriers, including the U.S.S. Yorktown. After the Navy, he attended UNC-Charlotte. He played on the basketball team at UNCC and received a bachelor’s degree from the University in 1967.

After college Joe worked in textile manufacturing with Burlington Industries for twenty plus years. His work with Burlington eventually took him, his late wife Gene Ann and their daughters to Rome, Italy and Newtown Forbes, Ireland.

Joe enjoyed a second career in real estate and established the company Ibis Roost Realty in Shallotte, NC. Joe loved the ocean and had a house for many years on Holden Beach, NC and then on Bald Head Island, NC. While living on Bald Head Island he volunteered with the local fire department.

Joe had many interests and hobbies – he spoke fluent Italian, was an excellent cook, and loved to travel. He once flew around the world entirely using airline miles. He also enjoyed military history, boating, fishing and golfing. He was an avid collector including coins, pens, watches, knives and historical guns.

He is survived by his four daughters, Stephanie Sabatini (Cynthia) of Fletcher, NC; Eugenia Anne Sabatini (Larry) of Portland, OR; Jane Sabatini (Tony) of Portland, OR; and Mary Sabatini of Fletcher, NC; his sister Edwina Dickson of Roanoke, VA; his grandchildren Katie Jansen and Elliott Sabatini, both of Portland, OR; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family is planning a private service next summer at the coast of North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Four Seasons Hospice of Hendersonville, NC,
http://www.fourseasonscare.org and the Dementia Society of America, http://www.dementiasociety.org