Joseph (Joe) John Sabotin

December 17, 1944 - April 24, 2021

Joseph (Joe) John Sabotin

Joseph (Joe) John Sabotin, 76, of Longboat Key, Florida passed away unexpectedly on April 24, 2021.

Born December 17, 1944 in Indianapolis, Indiana he was the son of the late Joe and Donna ( Radcliffe) Sabotin. He was a graduate of Scecina Memorial High School, Indianapolis, Indiana. After high school, Joe attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where he earned a degree in Finance, and later received his MBA from Columbia University. Joe was a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), sports nutritionist and personal trainer.

Joe had a long career in the health insurance business. He started out as an independent insurance agency owner and went on to become the director of marketing at Florida Blue. Upon retiring he opened an artisanal bread store which stemmed from his passion for cooking. Later on he owned and operated a chain of nutritional counseling centers located throughout the southeast.

Joe was an avid runner, he completed over 200 marathons and 50 ultra marathons. He always had a fun story to share about the Boston Marathon or the Western States 100. Joe’s passion for cooking was encouraged by family and friends. His most requested dishes were either Italian or Cuban and all will miss his peanut butter pies. He loved to play golf, watch golf and talk about golf. Yes, Joe loved everything about the game of golf. Joe also enjoyed both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Most of all Joe loved his family and friends. His nickname was “The Ambassador” because he made friends wherever he went. Joe always included family and friends in all that he did. He believed the greatest word in the English language was Grandpa.

Joe was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He will be forever missed by his wife Louise (Denisiewicz); daughter, Erin Winters (Danny); sons , Jason, Joshua (Tracy) and Phillip Martin (Rebecca); granddaughters, Lea, Elaine, Sophia and Natalie; and grandson, Finn. He is also survived by two sisters Marcia (Terrence) Keating and Lisa (John) Hoffman and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A celebration of life was held in Durham, North Carolina on April 27, 2021. To leave a message, fond memory or pictures for the family please go to Joe Sabotin Memories

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December 01, 2025

Vic Blanton

I am saddened to hear of Joe's passing. We were good friends at Indiana University, and we worked together during summer breaks, cutting steel at Ansteds-Kaiser Jeep in Indianapolis. We did many other things together for years, including working out, hunting, fishing, dating, and partying, until career and geographic interests took us in different directions. To say that he was a dynamic person would be an understatement. There are so many stories I could tell about how fun and eventful it was to be his friend. When working at the plant, for example, we commuted every day on Joe's motor cycle, which we always rode inside the plant to get to our workstation. Management tolerated it, along with his many practical jokes, because he could do the manual labor of any two workers, while having fun at the same time. One Friday after a long workweek, we stayed for an extra fishbowl of beer at the local wateringhole. At the first stoplight when we headed for home, I was a bit too relaxed sitting on the back of the bike. When the light turned green, Joe initially pulled away somewhat gradually, but then suddenly gave the bike a bit more throttle than I was ready for. Before I knew what happened my rump hit the pavement at about 20 mph. It was good that I was completely relaxed, because I bounced off my butt onto my feet and somehow stayed on them while running uncontrollably to the curb. It was two miles further down the road before Joe realized that I was no longer with him. No telling how far he might have gone if he hadn't eventually noticed that the late afternoon sun was projecting the of only one person on the bike. We laughed about that for years. Once he visited me at my parents' Lake House in Michigan, where we waterskied, and on a later occasion at my home in Utah where we went snow skiing. I think that was the last time I saw him. I wish we had kept in touch. My condolences to you, Erin, and to the family. Vic Blanton
July 15, 2021

Pennye &. Bill Arehart

Louise, Phillip and Joe's family our thoughts and prayers are with you. We think of you all often and the fun we had Together, building houses, running and, cooking. We will always remember Joe, his zest for life and love for his wife. May God bless you. Joe will be running in the great above. Pennye &. Bill Arehart