Richard Dominic Sabatini passed peacefully in his sleep at his home in Dearborn Heights Michigan.  He is survived by his wife, Mary and his son Joseph (Tia). He leaves behind his siblings Leonard (Linda), Gerald (Barb), Diana Burke, Ken (Yolanda), Robert (Anita), Dominic (Pauline), Yola Okster, Jeanine (Mark) Bourcier, brother-in-law Daryl (Paula) Ounanian, Melanie (Rob) Harrell.  Rich was loved by all of his nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews. He was also cherished by his own aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents Dominic and Marie Sabatini, his in laws Anthony and Carol Ounanian and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Philip and Jacquelyn Ounanian.

Rich grew up in the west side of Detroit where he enjoyed hanging out with friends around the neighborhood. He graduated from Cody High School and took a few Art classes at Henry Ford College. He worked at Bonanza, then went on to spend about fifteen years with Heublien Distillery in Allen Park Michigan. When they closed the distillery, he went on to work for the Plymouth Canton schools in the maintenance department and was there for twenty years until he retired in 2020.  

Rich loved watching baseball, football and the occasional Hockey game (during the glory years of the Red Wings). He so enjoyed getting together with the Sabatini and Ounanian families for gatherings around the numerous holidays throughout the year. Rich did like to cook when he could and made a phenomenal carrot cake and delicious stuffed shells with Italian sausage. He loved going “up north”, hanging out on the beach, or sitting beside a campfire in the back yard of his In-Law’s home. He used his artistic talents to add layers of color, designs, and characters to his father-in-law’s wood crafts.  In his teens and twenties, he enjoyed attending rock concerts at Pine Knob, and his love of that music was passed along to his son, who enjoys listening to his vinyl records.

“Sab”, as many fondly referred to him, will be missed by all.

Visitation and Memorial

Thursday September 11, 2025

11:30am - 1:30pm

Service

1:30pm

Fred Wood Funeral Home

36100 5 Mile Road (East of Levan)