Stephen Sabo

Of all the titles earned throughout his life, Stephen Francis Sabo loved "uncle" best of all. This beloved son, brother, godson and friend had just added "great-uncle" to that list when he was called home on June 21 at age 57. Stephen was born with spina bifida at a time when the medical advice was "put him in a home and go on with your lives." His parents, Eleanor and Joe Sabo, would have none of that. They became his first and fiercest advocates, doing everything they could to ensure he could participate fully. Stephen grew up in Youngstown, Ohio in a neighborhood full of kids who made sure he was included. In a time before the ADA, his mother fought for and won the right for him to learn in a classroom of his peers. The family moved to Tennessee as Stephen began high school. He graduated from McKenzie High School in 1984 and went on to study computer science at the University of Tennessee and the University of Missouri. A gadget guy, he loved all things related to technology. Stephen also enjoyed fishing, astronomy and coin collecting. He once earned $1,500 by finding pennies with mistaken double strikes and selling them to collectors, enabling him to buy his first computer. Stephen loved cooking and good food, especially when he was able to share them with family for special occasions. He enjoyed travel, once winning a three-day trip to London by being the right caller to a Nashville radio station. Stephen returned to Ohio with his father in 1995 to be closer to family. He loved going to concerts, the heavier the metal the better, as well as shopping, dining out, playing the lottery, watching movies and spending time with his nephews and niece. Stephen moved to Michigan in 2017, making his home in Grand Rapids for his final years. It was here he developed a taste for sushi, cigars and fun socks. Stephen was preceded in death by his parents. He leaves behind his sister, Mary Ann (Jeff Ott) and brother, Joe (Linda), and their children, Trey (Iris and their son, Skyler), Hannah and Daniel. Please, please no flowers. If you would like to make a contribution in Stephen's memory, consider Shriners Hospital for Children, which gave Stephen such a great start in life, or Emmanuel Hospice, whose compassionate team helped ensure a peaceful, loving final chapter. The family also appreciates Meca's Angels and Age-N-Grace, whose support enabled Mary Ann and Jeff to bring Stephen home and care for him during his final month. The family will celebrate Stephen's life with a funeral mass at St. Robert of Newminster Church in Ada at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 24. We will welcome friends from 10-11. Please consider wearing purple, Stephen's favorite color, or a pair of your best fun socks - or both. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 616-452-3006. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Stephen Sabo, please visit our flower store.