Thank you Pioneer Square Friends and Neighbors of Seattle Soapworks for your condolences and support of Mike Sabo "Tio".
Monday, January 11, 2010
A Toast to Tio
Thank you Pioneer Square Friends and Neighbors of Seattle Soapworks for your condolences and support of Mike Sabo "Tio".
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009, "Celebration the Life of Michael R. Sabo" Euology
Dad, Uncle David, Gretchen, Tim, Tonia, Nicole, extended family, friends and, to use a term most sincerely in the case of Uncle Mike, dearly Beloved,
For if a successful life can be measured by how much you enjoy people, not just your immediate circle, but anyone from Presidents to a homeless person, and how much you are appreciated for simply being you in return, then Michael Richard Sabo was one highly successful, all around beloved man.
Kind, generous, fun, gregarious, definitely opinionated, passionate and extremely entrepreneurial, these very extroverted traits meshed in mysterious contrast with a man who happily who lived alone and very much on his own terms - for better or worse. Despite a car accident in Alaska, stock market crashes, several recessions, and legal red tape, he always remained positive when the company of others. He had a cheerful, hearty hello and something intriguing to stimulate lively conversation on anything from pop culture to politics, you name it.
Neighbours, clients and friends of Mike near his Pioneer Square shop have stopped in all week expressing nothing sadness for the passing of a really great guy, often in tears. He was an inspiration to many, a colourful, kind personality and a fun shopkeeper as no one could leave Seattle Soapworks without him giving them something, usually a bar of his famous Milk Glow soap. And the high quality of his product and his character spread and is what is remembered most today.
One of the reasons he was so popular was because he was respectful of others life choices, especially those brave choices that most challenged the norm – like who you loved, or the decision to participate in a Shakespeare festival or be a camp counsellor instead of working in a restaurant for college summers, or for bucking corporate America for a few months to wander the Outback. He was good listener of others’ Dreams, his favourite being helping folks turn business ideas into cash.
He had a ready laugh and that rare kind of avuncular support that says “of course you can”- follow your bliss.
To Tio, following his bliss meant to be in a constant, all consuming and often simultaneous pursuit of the next new thing or faraway adventure. Mike built schools in Honduras with the Special Forces, he developed soaps and a charming shop to showcase them in, he was the CEO of Szabo Pharmaceuticals, and any other company he wanted to create along the way. Following his bliss included a hard working, lucrative stint piping oil in Alaska, and, a personal favourite of Tonia Tim, Nikki and I, as he privately founded and funded Uncle Mike Finishing School. What is that?
Tio always had a trusting heart and open pocket book treating us kids to the finer aspects of living well when the dollars flowed. Later in his life, when the financial chips were not quite the same, his generosity did not flag.
Tonia – Uncle Mike is synonymous with gift packages.
Claire - Slipped me $2000 for college for because I was earning experiences, not money, over the summer.
But these are how he was involved in our lives… My dad would like to share with you some other interesting facts and figures about his life’s pursuits.
As Claire said, my brother, Mike, was an enigma – a “soldier of fortune” who was very outgoing and friendly, but secretive about details of his personal life. I’ll touch on an interesting story later.
• Born in Massena, NY, a town similar to Thornton Wilder’s Grover Corners.
• Son of Hungarian parents. Our father came through Ellis Island in 1907. Both mother and father had limited education, but possessed an entrepreneurial flair. Our dad worked at Alcoa, and had a small nursery. He also invested in equities, and land. As Mike recently said, “it’s all in the genes”. This is where Mike acquired his outlook on business.
• Mike’s childhood was happy and he had a wide circle of friends.
• He attended Univ. of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance. He was in the same class as Pearlman of Wall Street fame. Donald Trump was 2 years behind him in school.
• Mike’s first position in the working world was as a securities analyst for Empire State Bank. Soon afterward, he hung out his shingle as Sabo & Co.
• In the 1970’s, he grubstaked himself by working on the Trans-Alaska pipeline as a general foreman. He always liked to tell the story of his chicken run. He would deliver KFC chicken to employees up and down the pipeline – on overtime of course.
• He served honorable in the Army National Guard, and both Army & Air Force Reserves. He was a member of special forces, and served in Iraq, Saudia Arabia and Honduras at various points during his military service.
• After his military career, Mike settled down to work small business enterprises. One of these, was a line of soap called Milk Glow, which he created & sold through his store Seattle Soapworks, a storefront on South Jackson St in downtown Seattle. He was also laying the groundwork for other businesses at the time of his death.
• As I stated earlier, Mike had an aura of mystery about him. My daughter Claire relates this story about him when they were together. The 1st George Bush visited Tacoma to attend the World’s Fair. As he entered the arena, & was progressing through the crowd, Mike led Claire up to the ropes containing the crowd and waited. As George Bush passed, he saw Mike, walked up to him and said”: “How are you, Mike?” This encounter was on Seattle TV that night. When asked about it, Mike would not reveal his connection to President Bush. Just laughed and smiled
• Mike was loved by all his family, but was particularly adored by his nieces and nephew, whom they fondly called “Tio”. Mike also loved them, and would drive down to Portland any time one or more of them were in town for a visit. He touched many people in his business interactions, both managerial and working level personnel. There has been an outpouring of grief and kind sentiments expressed by people coming into Mike’s Seattle Soapworks store as Claire has witnessed.
• We will all miss Mike. Personally, I will miss him as a business confidant, close friend and loving brother.
Lou remembers how simply Mike lived, “The most I ever see him spend on himself were blueberries everyday, and, damn, he loved those Costco almonds.”
Like you, I am stunned, I am sad. I lie awake as more and more memories flood my heart, things I see around the house came from him and I remember more, I cry, I shake my head in disbelief, and I have to smile, because that’s what I remember most: Mike’s laugh. He had a unique ability to make others laugh, to have a better day with conversation or the simple gift of a bar of his famous Milk Glow Soap, or the on goings pranks on someone like my sister Nikki.
He was a true Hungarian, a chemically complex mix of jolly and melancholy when you scratched the surface. Entrepreneur and Adventurer. A big picture Visionary and Doer of only the things he enjoyed about making those dreams a reality.
Fond of animals, he had the strength of character to know his lifestyle meant he had give his dog Sasha to Gretchen for a more suitable life.
Mike loved a good short walk in the woods, a cold bottle of beer, and he loved to cook – though not clean – in the kitchen.
Hamburger soup, salads and his last batch of chicken Paprikash was extra- um – memorable. Burnt to a pretty awful taste. We all ate it anyway and also cleaned the laughable gigantic mess of every pot and pan used. The funny memories of that meal go down really well now.
But most of he loved his family.
Pictures of the grand nieces and nephews were taped on his kitchen cupboards and proudly displayed at the store.
David you were a true brother, helpful and strong when he needed you the most recently.
He loved you Dad. Through all the moments brothers have, you were his best friend. I know he appreciated all you did to support and test his dreams for a better life, for another chance, and so he could achieve that success to make you proud as much as he did for his dream of retirement someday.
Heart dis-ease was part of his life’s end. His career had involved some strange people in recent years and long hours late into the night punching away, one finger at a time on the computer keyboard, for his dreams and goings on. And, perhaps, the Universe knew that life was not too short, but rather abundant in rich experiences and long enough for him to do what he needed to achieve and for the lessons he chose to learn in this lifetime.
Mike would have been 69 on Dec 5th but died tucked in his bed sleeping, just before or on Thanksgiving Day. Symbolically, many Sabos have also either been born or died at this same time of year, to the exact day in sveral cases. (One Beaverton Bakery birthday cake now serves for three birthdays because we’re all diets.) But more importantly, it’s a significant time of Gratitude, a time of thanks and celebration for the potential life holds and to reflect on the fragility of the human experience. This special time of year reminds us how lucky we are …for Mike… for this widening extended family, and for the many friends who are with us during the ups and downs. We all share the Journey together no matter where we are and that is the true sentiment of the season of which Mike was a special part and in which he poetically was born and died.
Mike had some secret paths on his personal Journey but he must have enjoyed them as any question to that effect was met with only a knowing laugh and smile. “A little mystery is good thing”, he said.
One thing for sure though, Mike’s life positively influenced every one of us here. He brought joy where and when it was often needed most, like gifts for sick kids in Tonia’s hospitals or the bum on Capitol Hill who needed a burger.
His eyes were kind and tired and happiness shone in them with the sight of each of you here. He might not have used the words “I love you” – ever that I know of – but his every thoughtfulness and his lively, involved presence in our lives let us know how very deeply he cared.
Humbly, his body is now dust and ash. But his spirit, his kind and loving spirit, has nobly arrived home to the Divine Source that brought him to us for a precious time and space.
Yesterday a priest led your formal rites Tio Today, as you were curious and open to the ways of all cultures, I follow yesterday’s blessing with words from Sanskrit:
Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om.
Peace, Peace, Peace. OM.
We wish you peace of mind,
We wish you peace of body,
and we wish you peace of spirit. OM
Thank you for being you Tio. Our lives have been changed for the better having known you. You are home now and our love and respect for you lives on.
Tim and Nikki – A visual presentation of Mike’s life-online soon
For if a successful life can be measured by how much you enjoy people, not just your immediate circle, but anyone from Presidents to a homeless person, and how much you are appreciated for simply being you in return, then Michael Richard Sabo was one highly successful, all around beloved man.
Kind, generous, fun, gregarious, definitely opinionated, passionate and extremely entrepreneurial, these very extroverted traits meshed in mysterious contrast with a man who happily who lived alone and very much on his own terms - for better or worse. Despite a car accident in Alaska, stock market crashes, several recessions, and legal red tape, he always remained positive when the company of others. He had a cheerful, hearty hello and something intriguing to stimulate lively conversation on anything from pop culture to politics, you name it.
Neighbours, clients and friends of Mike near his Pioneer Square shop have stopped in all week expressing nothing sadness for the passing of a really great guy, often in tears. He was an inspiration to many, a colourful, kind personality and a fun shopkeeper as no one could leave Seattle Soapworks without him giving them something, usually a bar of his famous Milk Glow soap. And the high quality of his product and his character spread and is what is remembered most today.
One of the reasons he was so popular was because he was respectful of others life choices, especially those brave choices that most challenged the norm – like who you loved, or the decision to participate in a Shakespeare festival or be a camp counsellor instead of working in a restaurant for college summers, or for bucking corporate America for a few months to wander the Outback. He was good listener of others’ Dreams, his favourite being helping folks turn business ideas into cash.
He had a ready laugh and that rare kind of avuncular support that says “of course you can”- follow your bliss.
To Tio, following his bliss meant to be in a constant, all consuming and often simultaneous pursuit of the next new thing or faraway adventure. Mike built schools in Honduras with the Special Forces, he developed soaps and a charming shop to showcase them in, he was the CEO of Szabo Pharmaceuticals, and any other company he wanted to create along the way. Following his bliss included a hard working, lucrative stint piping oil in Alaska, and, a personal favourite of Tonia Tim, Nikki and I, as he privately founded and funded Uncle Mike Finishing School. What is that?
Tio always had a trusting heart and open pocket book treating us kids to the finer aspects of living well when the dollars flowed. Later in his life, when the financial chips were not quite the same, his generosity did not flag.
Tonia – Uncle Mike is synonymous with gift packages.
Claire - Slipped me $2000 for college for because I was earning experiences, not money, over the summer.
But these are how he was involved in our lives… My dad would like to share with you some other interesting facts and figures about his life’s pursuits.
As Claire said, my brother, Mike, was an enigma – a “soldier of fortune” who was very outgoing and friendly, but secretive about details of his personal life. I’ll touch on an interesting story later.
• Born in Massena, NY, a town similar to Thornton Wilder’s Grover Corners.
• Son of Hungarian parents. Our father came through Ellis Island in 1907. Both mother and father had limited education, but possessed an entrepreneurial flair. Our dad worked at Alcoa, and had a small nursery. He also invested in equities, and land. As Mike recently said, “it’s all in the genes”. This is where Mike acquired his outlook on business.
• Mike’s childhood was happy and he had a wide circle of friends.
• He attended Univ. of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance. He was in the same class as Pearlman of Wall Street fame. Donald Trump was 2 years behind him in school.
• Mike’s first position in the working world was as a securities analyst for Empire State Bank. Soon afterward, he hung out his shingle as Sabo & Co.
• In the 1970’s, he grubstaked himself by working on the Trans-Alaska pipeline as a general foreman. He always liked to tell the story of his chicken run. He would deliver KFC chicken to employees up and down the pipeline – on overtime of course.
• He served honorable in the Army National Guard, and both Army & Air Force Reserves. He was a member of special forces, and served in Iraq, Saudia Arabia and Honduras at various points during his military service.
• After his military career, Mike settled down to work small business enterprises. One of these, was a line of soap called Milk Glow, which he created & sold through his store Seattle Soapworks, a storefront on South Jackson St in downtown Seattle. He was also laying the groundwork for other businesses at the time of his death.
• As I stated earlier, Mike had an aura of mystery about him. My daughter Claire relates this story about him when they were together. The 1st George Bush visited Tacoma to attend the World’s Fair. As he entered the arena, & was progressing through the crowd, Mike led Claire up to the ropes containing the crowd and waited. As George Bush passed, he saw Mike, walked up to him and said”: “How are you, Mike?” This encounter was on Seattle TV that night. When asked about it, Mike would not reveal his connection to President Bush. Just laughed and smiled
• Mike was loved by all his family, but was particularly adored by his nieces and nephew, whom they fondly called “Tio”. Mike also loved them, and would drive down to Portland any time one or more of them were in town for a visit. He touched many people in his business interactions, both managerial and working level personnel. There has been an outpouring of grief and kind sentiments expressed by people coming into Mike’s Seattle Soapworks store as Claire has witnessed.
• We will all miss Mike. Personally, I will miss him as a business confidant, close friend and loving brother.
Lou remembers how simply Mike lived, “The most I ever see him spend on himself were blueberries everyday, and, damn, he loved those Costco almonds.”
Like you, I am stunned, I am sad. I lie awake as more and more memories flood my heart, things I see around the house came from him and I remember more, I cry, I shake my head in disbelief, and I have to smile, because that’s what I remember most: Mike’s laugh. He had a unique ability to make others laugh, to have a better day with conversation or the simple gift of a bar of his famous Milk Glow Soap, or the on goings pranks on someone like my sister Nikki.
He was a true Hungarian, a chemically complex mix of jolly and melancholy when you scratched the surface. Entrepreneur and Adventurer. A big picture Visionary and Doer of only the things he enjoyed about making those dreams a reality.
Fond of animals, he had the strength of character to know his lifestyle meant he had give his dog Sasha to Gretchen for a more suitable life.
Mike loved a good short walk in the woods, a cold bottle of beer, and he loved to cook – though not clean – in the kitchen.
Hamburger soup, salads and his last batch of chicken Paprikash was extra- um – memorable. Burnt to a pretty awful taste. We all ate it anyway and also cleaned the laughable gigantic mess of every pot and pan used. The funny memories of that meal go down really well now.
But most of he loved his family.
Pictures of the grand nieces and nephews were taped on his kitchen cupboards and proudly displayed at the store.
David you were a true brother, helpful and strong when he needed you the most recently.
He loved you Dad. Through all the moments brothers have, you were his best friend. I know he appreciated all you did to support and test his dreams for a better life, for another chance, and so he could achieve that success to make you proud as much as he did for his dream of retirement someday.
Heart dis-ease was part of his life’s end. His career had involved some strange people in recent years and long hours late into the night punching away, one finger at a time on the computer keyboard, for his dreams and goings on. And, perhaps, the Universe knew that life was not too short, but rather abundant in rich experiences and long enough for him to do what he needed to achieve and for the lessons he chose to learn in this lifetime.
Mike would have been 69 on Dec 5th but died tucked in his bed sleeping, just before or on Thanksgiving Day. Symbolically, many Sabos have also either been born or died at this same time of year, to the exact day in sveral cases. (One Beaverton Bakery birthday cake now serves for three birthdays because we’re all diets.) But more importantly, it’s a significant time of Gratitude, a time of thanks and celebration for the potential life holds and to reflect on the fragility of the human experience. This special time of year reminds us how lucky we are …for Mike… for this widening extended family, and for the many friends who are with us during the ups and downs. We all share the Journey together no matter where we are and that is the true sentiment of the season of which Mike was a special part and in which he poetically was born and died.
Mike had some secret paths on his personal Journey but he must have enjoyed them as any question to that effect was met with only a knowing laugh and smile. “A little mystery is good thing”, he said.
One thing for sure though, Mike’s life positively influenced every one of us here. He brought joy where and when it was often needed most, like gifts for sick kids in Tonia’s hospitals or the bum on Capitol Hill who needed a burger.
His eyes were kind and tired and happiness shone in them with the sight of each of you here. He might not have used the words “I love you” – ever that I know of – but his every thoughtfulness and his lively, involved presence in our lives let us know how very deeply he cared.
Humbly, his body is now dust and ash. But his spirit, his kind and loving spirit, has nobly arrived home to the Divine Source that brought him to us for a precious time and space.
Yesterday a priest led your formal rites Tio Today, as you were curious and open to the ways of all cultures, I follow yesterday’s blessing with words from Sanskrit:
Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om.
Peace, Peace, Peace. OM.
We wish you peace of mind,
We wish you peace of body,
and we wish you peace of spirit. OM
Thank you for being you Tio. Our lives have been changed for the better having known you. You are home now and our love and respect for you lives on.
Tim and Nikki – A visual presentation of Mike’s life-online soon
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Michael R. Sabo. May he rest in peace.
Son. Brother. Uncle. Godfather. Friend.
Michael Sabo passed away at home on November 26, 2009 at the age of 68. He was born in Massena, NY on December 5, 1940 to Alexander and Veronica Sabo. Michael is survived by his brothers; Alex (Gretchen) and David; nieces Claire Szabo, Tonia Sabo and Nicole Sabo; and nephew Timothy Sabo, as well as three grand nieces and one grand nephew.
In 1964, Michael graduated with a B.S. in Economics and Corporate Finance from University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Finance, Philadelphia, PA. His career commenced in New York City as a Securities Analyst for Empire Trust Co.. He worked on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline for twelve years as a General Foreman and, following that, started his first business, Sabo & Co., in 1968. His military service included the National Guard and Air Force Reserves, the Army National Guard and Army Reserves. Michael was an entrepreneur and businessman with numerous business interests, most recently, Seattle Soapworks.
He was a kind and generous man and will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remembrance can be sent to:
Fish Emergency Service: http://www.fishemergencyservice.org
Family Inquiries: 14167 Edenberry Dr., Lake Oswego, OR 97035
503-968-1735
Michael Sabo passed away at home on November 26, 2009 at the age of 68. He was born in Massena, NY on December 5, 1940 to Alexander and Veronica Sabo. Michael is survived by his brothers; Alex (Gretchen) and David; nieces Claire Szabo, Tonia Sabo and Nicole Sabo; and nephew Timothy Sabo, as well as three grand nieces and one grand nephew.
In 1964, Michael graduated with a B.S. in Economics and Corporate Finance from University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Finance, Philadelphia, PA. His career commenced in New York City as a Securities Analyst for Empire Trust Co.. He worked on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline for twelve years as a General Foreman and, following that, started his first business, Sabo & Co., in 1968. His military service included the National Guard and Air Force Reserves, the Army National Guard and Army Reserves. Michael was an entrepreneur and businessman with numerous business interests, most recently, Seattle Soapworks.
He was a kind and generous man and will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remembrance can be sent to:
Fish Emergency Service: http://www.fishemergencyservice.org
Family Inquiries: 14167 Edenberry Dr., Lake Oswego, OR 97035
503-968-1735
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