Thomas Craig Sabin

Thomas Craig Sabin, aka Tom, Dad, Papa, Pops or Teddy, depending on who is talking, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 23, 2016, at Munson Hospital from complications after cardiac arrest. He was surrounded by his wife Karen, his children Bradley Sabin, Mary Sabin, Kristin Sabin Willey and her husband Darren Willey. Tom was born in Jackson, Michigan, on January 20, 1944, to Harold and Virginia (Deming) Sabin. When he was 3 years old, the family moved to Wyoming Park, Michigan, where his father took a job as teacher and coach at Godfrey Lee High School. Tom was busy and inquisitive as a little boy and remained so until the day he died. He was too busy to become old. Tom went to Wyoming Park High School, where he earned varsity letters in football and track and gained the nickname “Speed.” Measuring 5’ 5,” and not to be without a sport, he became manager of the basketball team. Tom played drums and earned gas money playing gigs with his own band, the Rhythm Tones. In 1964 Tom married his high school sweetheart, Karen Dertien. Tom’s work in “haberdashery” took the family to various cities in Michigan before they moved to Traverse City in 1976. He loved working downtown at Hamilton’s Menswear, where he met many people he considered his lifelong friends. Tom took a job as Director of Auxiliary Services at Interlochen Center for the Arts. On his first day he was called “Teddy” by mistake and it stuck. He will be Teddy forever to a core group of good friends. Following retirement, Tom kept busy helping others as a handyman and traveling with Karen to be with friends and family throughout the country. Tom always made time for his granddaughters Rebecca and Jessica Lukins. He was a loving husband and father; a devoted grandfather; a mentor to many; and a friend to all. Tom is survived by his wife Karen; his children Bradley Sabin, Kristin (Darren) Willey, and Mary Sabin; granddaughters Rebecca and Jessica Lukins; brother Gordon (Peggy) Sabin; sisters-in-law Nancy (Darle) Vanderwall and Lynn (Richard) Dertien. Visitation will be held at noon on Sunday, October 30, at the Hagerty Conference Center (715 East Front Street, Traverse City), followed by a celebration of Tom’s life at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Central United Methodist Church (222 Cass Street, Traverse City 49684) for Our Neighbor’s Garden.

Thomas Craig Sabin

January 20, 1944 - October 23, 2016