Shrewsbury/Hyannis – It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of a beautiful person. Robert Michael Sabatalo, 66, of both Shrewsbury, MA and Hyannis, MA, who passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2022, surrounded by his loving family after a valiant battle with cancer.
Bob was born in Worcester, one of five children Jean (Falco) Sabatalo and the late Worcester Police Sergeant, Angelo “Buddy’ Sabatalo, Sr. Bob grew up in the Massasoit Road section of Worcester and attended Worcester public schools, graduating from North High School class of 1973. He then went on to Worcester State University where he earned a double major bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology and a minor in art.
After working for a couple of years in the juvenile system working with troubled youth, Bob went on to accept a position with the TJX Corporation. He started as a part-time stock employee in the very first TJ Maxx store located in Worcester. Over the next 27 years, Bob would be promoted and enjoy many positions within the TJX company. He became the manager of multiple New England TJ Maxx stores and later promoted to the operations manager position overseeing the TJX distribution center located in Worcester.
Bob’s last position here was as an assistant vice-president of planning and allocation. In this position Bob was responsible for overseeing the “buyer training program” responsible for hiring and training new buyers and for creating the ideal mix of merchandise for the TJX Companies, Inc.
After retirement from TJX, Bob lived on a more full-time basis in Hyannis. While there he embarked on another career change that allowed him to express his talents and creativity. Bob purchased a struggling floral business and turned it into a viable and one of the most well-respected, award-winning florists on Cape Cod, “Lily’s Florist and Gifts” in South Yarmouth for the next twelve years. Bob’s flower shop legacy continued when it was bought by one of his valued employees, Alex. He was also an ordained minister and performed many wedding ceremonies on and off Cape Cod.
Bob was an amazing person who had so many talents. He was truly the modern “Renaissance Man.” He could build a fence or a deck one day and create a floral masterpiece or make a three course dinner the next. He was a builder, a painter, a decorator, a businessman.
Bob was so many things to so many people. He was a devoted husband, son, brother and uncle. He was generous and kind and loved making people happy by sharing his talents with them. He also valued all the customers and relationships that he made throughout his years in business.
Bob lived with passion , whether that was his work, his family or how he enjoyed life. Bob loved his time spent exploring Cape Cod, to spend time at the beach, to camp in his RV, to take his motorcycle for a ride, to go boating, to see live theater, to take nature walks, to putter in his yard and to enjoy the holidays, especially Christmas. He also loved to travel. He loved weekend trips to Maine and New York City. Some of his best memories were his several trips with his husband Chris to Aruba. His happiest times were when he was surrounded by and sharing good times and creating memories with his family and his friends.
Bob is survived by his husband, soulmate and best friend for the past 9 years, Dr. Christopher Karalekas, his mother Jean T. ( Falco) Sabatalo of Worcester, his three brothers, Angelo Sabatalo Jr. and his wife Cindy of Millbury, Richard “Dickie” Sabatalo and his wife Doris of Worcester, Worcester Police Sergeant Michael Sabatalo and his wife Connie of Worcester and his sister ,Jane M. Karantzoulidis and her husband Steve of Paxton, 6 nephews, 1 niece, 1 great nephew and 2 great nieces as well as so many extended family and friends.
Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours Wednesday, May 4th from4:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. His funeral will be celebrated Thursday, May 5th from the funeral home with a procession to Our Lady of Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Rd, where his Mass of Christian burial will be held by his cousins Reverend Ronald Falco. Burial will be in St John Cemetery.
Flowers are welcome and requested you contact Bob’s company Lily’s florist and gifts, 508-760-6726.
The Sabatalo family would like to thank the Doctors, staff and nurses of the Cancer Center of Cape Cod Hospital and the staff of the Jewish Hospice for their care, comfort, and compassion they provided during a difficult time.
