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Donald Sbabo

Donald “Don” Livio Sbabo, age 90, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2024, at Connecticut Hospice, Branford. He was the loving husband to Margaret Sbabo for 63 years, until her passing in 2020. Don was born July 8, 1933, to Livio and Jeane Sbabo, immigrants from Italy and Poland respectively.

Don grew up on State Street in North Haven (Sbabo’s Market) and at the family’s summertime waterfront cottage in East Haven, where Don became an avid boater, sailor, clam digger, crabber, water skier, fisherman, and taxidermist. Don graduated from Wilbur Cross High School and went on to earn B.S. and M.A. degrees from Southern Connecticut State College.

He began his professional career in the sixth grade at Center School (North Haven), where he met his future wife, Margaret Laydon. Donald taught math and science at Durham High School, Amity Regional Junior High School, Orchard Hill Junior High School, and North Haven High School before retiring from teaching in 1990. Don was also a professional photographer, documenting hundreds of weddings. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Elks Club, North Haven Commission on the Aging, and North Haven Planning and Zoning Commission, eventually serving as Chairman.

In retirement, Don and Margaret would winter at their second home in North Ft. Myers, Florida. At 4 p.m. daily, Don would hold happy hour court in his lanai for their fellow snowbirds and whoever was around. He was a relentless stone buster and joketeller. He had an incredible memory for people and events. Don was an early adopter of all kinds of technological gizmos such as personal computing, digital photography, including Photoshop manipulation; GPS navigation systems for their boat, Endless Summer; and various motorcycles.

Following the passing of his wife, Don moved to The Landing in North Haven. Don continued to hold court daily with fellow residents at 4 p.m. in the bistro area, heckling anyone who wandered by, staff and resident alike, yet endearing to the point of being referred to as “The Mayor of The Landing.”

Donald is survived by his sister, Phyllis Guarnieri of Sturgis, Michigan; his four children, Cheryl Calabrese (Michael) of Clinton, Thomas Sbabo (Holly) of Hamden, Donald Sbabo Jr. (Lorraine) of North Haven, and Lisa Bryson (Gary) of North Haven. He had eight grandchildren; and two great-grandsons; and eight nieces and nephews;and a multitude of lifelong extended family who called him Uncle Don. In addition to his wife Margaret, Donald is predeceased by his brother Leonard (Carol) of East Haven/Venice, FL.

The visiting hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 17, at The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. Family and friends are invited to go at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, May 18, directly to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church/St. Paul VI Parish, 2819 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, to attend a Mass of Christian burial and are also invited to attend the committal service immediately following in Center Cemetery, 24 Elm Street, North Haven. www.northhavenfuneral.com.