Bruce Sabatino

Profile Updated: June 20, 2009
Bruce Sabatino
Residing In: Monroe, GA USA
Spouse/Partner: Beverly (Baum) Sabatino
Occupation: Emergency Medicine Physician
Children: Brian James Sabatino, born 1979
Bethany Rose Sabatino, bonrn 1982
Military Service: USAF  

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Yes! Attending Reunion
Comments:

After graduation from HS, I attended Syracuse University. After that, I attempted three times to get into medical school. On my third attempt, and after six years of graduate school, I succeeded. I graduated from Albany Medical College in 1983. During the next four years, I served in the Air Force as a physician, completing two years of a four year residency in OB/GYN in California, and then as a Flight Surgeon. The flight surgeon position brought Beverly and me to the South (Valdosta, GA), and we have lived in the South ever since. Beverly (Baum), also in the Class of '69 (Williamsville South), and I got married in 1973, and we have two kids and two grand children. Anyway, after getting out of the Air Force in 1987, I became an Emergency Medicine Physician, and have done that ever since. As I look back on my HS days, I think about the extracurricular stuff, like sports, but mostly performing in A Man For All Seasons. I am a fairly religious person, and Beverly and I are both Catholics. Sir Thomas More was truly a wonderful Saint, and I feel so honored to have been able to portray him in that school production. In a way, that role changed my life, or at least has served as an "anchor" of sorts for me. Sir Thomas More is about the best role model I can imagine, in terms of leading a life of integrity. I am not a saint, but he was, and he inspires me to do better in my Christian walk. That whole cast and production is my fondest memory of HS. And I would love to meet up with our director, Mr. Schihl (taught math) sometime to personally thank him for that production, and how much it has meant to me during my life.

ADDENDUM: Thanks to one of the organizers of this webpage, Beth Anne (Betzer) Kafasis, Dr. Schihl was found and made aware of my wish to contact him. We have had a great "reunion" through e-mail and over the phone. He wants me to tell everyone that he has very fond memories of our class and his time at South, in his words, "Some of the best memories of my career." He went on to get married, complete a Ph.D., start a University, become the Dean of a University Department, teach philosophy at the graduate school level, and is now 100% dedicated to education in the field of Catholic teachings - doctrine, dogma, tradition, history of the Church, etc. He has an awesome website called catholicapologetics.org. (be sure to type in ".org" at the end). Again, he wishes all of us his best and said he would be happy to be back in touch with anyone who wishes (rjschihl@gmail.com). Thanks again to Beth Anne for helping me "get my wish" and rekindling my friendship with Dr. Robert Schihl!
School Story:

I remember a bunch of us guys would get dressed up as "dirty old men" and drink beer at "the shack." It was pretty bizarre. We would sing songs like "Shine on, Shine on Harvest Moon..." I also remember hanging out all the time with my best HS buddies, Bob Weber (moved away in Junionr year), Jeff Hayden, and Irwin (Sonny) Liss. We were all a little crazy, but had a lot of fun. Also, for a time, Dennis Dean, Dennis Newkirk, Jeff Hayden, Tom Cotton (different class) and I were in a band (The Fifth Generation). I was lead singer, but really couldn't sing. We never got a single job when I was in the band. After I got kicked out (for lack of musical talent, as was fitting), the band enjoyed some success, with Dennis taking over lead vocals and still playing the bass guitar. Dennis was always the heart and sole of the band. I remember being in sports (wrestling, baseball, swimming, and football). It was an honor just to make the team and stick out the seasons. I remember always being in awe at how talented some of the guys were, especially Tim Burns and Mark Lesniowski ("Lester"). It was a great time to be in HS. Thanks to everyone for being in my life back then. I hope to see many of you at the reunion.

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Bruce Sabatino
Bruce Sabatino has a birthday today.
Oct
13
Oct 13, 2024 at 4:33 AM
Bruce Sabatino
Bruce Sabatino has left an In Memory comment for Timothy R. Burns.
Sep
04
Sep 04, 2024 at 11:42 AM

How tragic to realize our beloved class President has passed.  I admired Tim Burns so much.  What an incredible athlete he was and what a fine gentleman and leader he was.  I remember one time in gym class he scaled a rope about 20 feet up using only his hands as he kept his legs fully extended and parallel to the floor going up and down.   And seeing him pole vault was just amazing.  Ditto for all he did as our quarterback or any other sport he participated in.  Though I never got to know him well, I always looked up to him and was inspired by him.  The really great thing about Tim was that even though he was endowed with such incredible, amazing  gifts and talents, he never came off as conceited, haughty, pround, or arrogant.  Instead he was humble, kind, supportive and encouraging.  He always used his wonderful talents to inspire others to be the best they could be.  I am so honored to have been his classmate and also teamate (football) during our senior year.  Tim was a solid, class guy.  Like the character "David Watts" (celebrated in the Kinks song from 1967 of the same title),  I will always remember Tim Burns as "the head boy at our school" and the one we guys "wished we could be like..."   At one of our reunions about 10 years ago I remember Tim giving a wonderful talk and prayer before our meal.  Even then, Tim Burns was a bright star and an incredible gift to all of us in the class of 1969 South.  May God rest Tim's soul.  AMEN.  Bruce Sabatino

Bruce Sabatino
Bruce Sabatino has left an In Memory comment for Ronald S. Goldstein.
Jun
13
Jun 13, 2024 at 8:37 PM

I remember Ronnie Goldstein as a very friendly, sociable, and always well dressed classmate.  He enjoyed dressing up and he was always very pleasant, always seemed to be smiling.  I did not really get to know him, but when you saw him walking down the hall you immediately knew it was him.  He had a real style about him, and I admired that.  I recall him as being happy go lucky and self confident but not at all snobby.  It sounds like he had a successful business locally and he must have liked sculpture, so he definitely had that going for him as well.  Rest in Peace dear classmate.  Best wishes to everyone.  Hope we all have many years left on this earth and use them wisely.

Bruce Sabatino, '69 (South).  

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Posted on: Oct 13, 2021 at 4:33 AM

Bruce Sabatino
Bruce Sabatino has left an In Memory comment for Robert J. Adrian.
Jul 08, 2021 at 11:49 PM

So sorry to hear of Bob's passing.  I agree with Rex.  I don't think I ever remember seeing Bob without a smile on his face.  I never really got to know him, but I was always happy to see him and he just seemed to radiate good cheer and positive energy every time I saw him.  I am sure he passed on that spirit of goodwill and optimism to his family, loved ones, and friends.  God Bless you, Bob.  Rest in Peace.  

Bruce and Beverly (Baum) Sabatino.  Monroe GA

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Mar 14, 2016 at 7:04 AM

Hey Web!!!!! So glad you are on the website now. Last time we saw each other was for our 25th reunion as I recall. Congratulations on your career and now retirement. BTW, you got your Wedding date wrong!! -- so don't let Caroline see that before you correct it. It was August 18th, 1973!!!! We got married on the same day, remember? That is the only reason you were not our best man. Also you left out Dennis Newkirk, who played lead guitar in the 5th Generation (band). And of course, you remember I used to sing lead (very badly) until I got "let go" due to lack of talent. Oh well, we can't all excel at all things. But yes, the band got quite good when Dennis Dean took over the lead, and he really put his heart and soul into the band. I think the name of the band changed to VTOL (Vertical take off on landing) when Dennis became lead vocal and continued as bass guitarist. Anyway, it was great to see you on the website. Say hello to Caroline for us. Beverly and I are still in Monroe, GA. Really like this location. Yesterday, attended an opera in Atlanta (hilarious production of the Pirates of Penzenze). I'm still working in Emergency Medicine and enjoying my work. Now in a less stressful work situation. Write me an email at BruceSabatino@gmail.com and we can keep in touch. Happy Easter to you and Caroline and family. Maybe we will see you for the 50th reunion if not before. Sab...

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Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 12:04 AM
Bruce Sabatino in 1969
Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 12:04 AM
Bruce Sabatino in 2004. Still had a little hair. Note: about 6 months ago, my wife Beverly and ALL of my nurses told me: Look, you are bald, OK? It's time to stop doing the "comb-over" thing. Shave the top of your head. So I did, and I am adjusting to this obvious sign of aging pretty well. It's hard to get old. But one thing I am absolutely certain of. Everyone in the class of 1969 is "in the same boat."
Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 12:04 AM
Bruce and Beverly Sabatino, 1976. On a trip to Colorado. We had been married 3 years. If you check out Beverly (Baum) Sabatino's profile, you can see how we look now. She has photo of our family taken this past Easter, April 2009.
Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 12:04 AM
Our two children, Brian (born 7/79) and Bethany (born 2/82). This photo taken in 2002, during a weekend in the mountains of North Georgia. Bethany is now a veterinarian, still single, and about to start a residency (small animal internal medicine and surgery) in Knoxville, TN. Brian is a mechanical engineer, married and has two kids of his own.
Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 12:04 AM
Bruce Sabatino (center) with our now deceased classmate, Dr. Lance VanDusen (on left). Lance and I both went to graduate school in the 70's in Buffalo (Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Seventh Division of the SUNY at Buffalo). Lance got his MS in natural sciences, as did I. I also went on to complete my Ph.D. in Experimental Pathology, but it took years for me to finish!! Lance and I are here together, along with another mutual friend from my graduate school days, Tom Stewart. This photograph was taken on the occasion of my Ph.D. graduation party in 1993. Lance was a Dentist practicing in Lewiston, NY. He died in the prime of his life of a massive heart attack in 2003. Lance was a great guy. This is another sad example of how fragile life is, something we can all relate to on this occasion as we think back on our deceased class mates.
Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 12:04 AM
Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 12:04 AM