Will always love and miss you my friend 
Loved how Peter always called me by my last name Defazio❤️💙

It’s still hard to imagine Pete is no longer with us.  I remember my first visit to Sabatino’s Lido Shipyard Sausage Company in the early 1990s.  I was hooked on the sausage & home made soups. 
As a young man I practically had lunch & dinner almost every single day.
Pete was like Frank Sinatra the way he roamed the dining area engaging with every customer to make sure everything was to their satisfaction.
This was his baby and Pete quickly became my west coast family.  Pete & Phil were like my big brothers making me feel at home so I couldn’t imagine a meal anywhere else.
I’m so happy I can still get their famous sausage which brings back fond memories of those good old days when I first moved from New England to Costa Mesa.

I am so heartbroken to hear of Pete’s passing almost a year later.  I have been traveling so much that I was unable to visit Sabatino’s and see Pete whenever I would stop in for dinner or to pick up 60-80 pounds of sausage to bring to my friends in Northern California once a year.
I can still remember the first time I met Pete less than a year after he opened Sabatino’s in Newport.
I was in my 20s, new to California from Connecticut and on a first date.  I went to pay with a credit card & the waitress said they only accept cash.  I was so embarrassed that I didn’t have enough cash on me so I went to the Maitre de to try to pay by check or to find an ATM.  Pete overheard my conversation, came over & asked what the problem was?  I told him I didn’t know it was cash only.  I asked if he could tell me where the closest ATM was so I could get the cash but he stopped me.  He asked my name.  I said Joe Consolini.  He replied, I’m Pete Sabatino,  don’t worry about it,  just pay me when you can.
I was so blown away by his trust & kindness that I came back the next day and paid him back immediately but I then realized at that moment how smart Pete was.
He was able to determine very quickly by his act of trust & kindness if I was a customer he would want to see back in his restaurant or not.
If I chose to take the free meal and never come back then I would have been a customer he didn’t want but if I came back and repaid him he would have me as a customer for life.  He was right.  I came back to  Sabatino’s almost every day of the week for lunch or dinner as my home away from home run by my new found friend Pete,  his brother Phil and their entire staff.
I’ve told this story 1000s of times to people I would send to Sabatino’s over the years so his one grand gesture created endless new customers coming back to him.
I will miss him dearly.  RIP Pete

We have been going to Sabatinos since the start of our first child "in a baby stroller" we have since introduced Sabatinos to all three kids. Great memories were created . Pete was so wonderful with our kids. He even had this picture in his office.  They all continued to go there in their adulthood. 
We will forever miss Pete, such a wonderful man, 
Condolences to the family 
Sabatinos will be missed dearly. 
Randy , Connie, Cooper, Cade and Presley Norland  even dog Finn

My deepest sympathies to the family, my thoughts & prayers are with you at this difficult time, Pete was always so kind & friendly, living his dream! He will be deeply missed by all those he came in contact with throughout the years. Rest in peace,
Levi

Pete was one of kind...one of my most 
favorite people in the world.... 
Kim Capua Stutts

Pete's buddy from Chicago 
for 50 years wherever they went... trouble
followed...Al Capua
Now they are together again...Uh Oh....

Peter was a kind and generous man who provided joy, delicious food and an enjoyable dining experience to his customers. 
My wife and I enjoyed chatting with Peter (primarily about politics) and eating his food for most of the 40+ years we’ve lived in Newport Beach. 
Peter brought midwestern class, culture and decency to Newport Beach and we miss him. 
Ted and Beth Cooper

As a friend and patron of Pete & his Iconic Restaurant for the last 35 years, we're all deeply saddened. Through countless holiday celebrations, family gatherings & lazy afternoons on the patio at Sabatino's it was always pleasure to see you and share a glass on vino. Until we meet again..............Love ya Peter

Dear Pete: I love you, Buddy. Praying you are in Paradise, you will be so missed by so very many. God bless you. Your friend Always, Dominick Rivierzo

We always enjoyed Pete’s hospitality,  great food but most of all his happy go lucky personality!  Pete will truly be missed by all who knew him, as he was always so much fun to be around.

Rest in peace our friend, our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Joe and Holli Miller

We are so saddened to hear of Peters passing. He was always so friendly and gracious ever time we dined at Sabatinos , which was often. His humor and stories were amazing. He will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him. Heartfelt condolences to his family and long time dedicated employees. RIP Peter. 🙏✝️

So sorry to hear that Peter passed away and now is with God and His Heavenly Family. Peter was a lovely man who was dedicated to his community 🙏💙 he was one of the first people we met when we came to NB. We will miss his warm hugs, conversations  and friendly smile... Thank you Peter for all the good memories of you and your restaurant family 💙🙏💙Rest in Peace 🙏💙🙏 Mary & Jon

We loved eating at Sabatino’s and having Peter sit down an join us! He was always full of great stories and humored us! On a couple of occasions he grabbed a slice of our pizza and told us it was the best pizza served anywhere!! He wanted to make sure the chef was meeting his standards so it was necessary he have a slice!! We will miss his friendliness and kindness. He will be missed! 
Debbie an David Schweickert

And me, 

Endless memories and love.

I already miss you so much 💔

My two nephews loved listening to Peters stories, and the three of them would laugh and laugh.

OBITUARY

Peter Sabatino Ognibene

November 2, 1941 – November 7, 2023

Pacific View Mortuary & Memorial Park

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