James Anthony Sabatino Sr.

James A Sabatino, Sr, 91, of Fairfax, Virginia passed away peacefully at home on Saturday October 3, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born in Dayton, Kentucky to the late Anthony and Anna Berry Sabatino. He was raised in Newport, Kentucky. After living in Germany and Ohio, Jim moved to Fairfax County in 1960 and has been an active member of the Fairfax community ever since. Jim’s life-long love of airplanes began as a teen when he worked at Cincinnati Airport as a baggage handler for Delta Airlines. This led him to join the Air Force where during the Korean War he became an air traffic controller in Germany. When he left the Air Force he became an air traffic controller with the Civil Aeronautics Authority, later the Federal Aviation Administration. As a controller Jim worked at Cleveland Airport, the Greater Cincinnati Airport, National Airport, and retired from Dulles Airport. After his retirement from the FAA in the mid-1980s, Jim bought a fixed wing Cessna, learned to fly, and earned his private pilot license. Jim’s second career was Real Estate. He worked for Singleton, Century 21, Mount Vernon, and Weichert Realties. He was a Broker and mentored many in the field. He served as an NV-RPAC Trustee and was a member of the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors Grievance Committee. In the 80s Jim established his own property management company, Champions Real Estate, and continued to run the company until 2019. Community and people were so very important to Jim. Jim earned a Kentucky Colonel designation for his work as the Lion’s Club Sight Conservation Chairman. He was an avid sports fan and was one of the first coaches in the newly formed Fairfax Little League. He served as an elder at Fairfax Presbyterian, coached the church softball team, and was a long-time member of the choir. He enjoyed being a member of the Redskins Singers for several seasons. He volunteered at George Mason University counseling students in need of a friendly ear. He enjoyed golf and was a starter at Oak Marr golf center. One of his greatest loves was being a volunteer for the Northern Virginia Swim League and for over 40 years Jim was an Official and the Starter for the Villa Aquatic Swim team. Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife of 46 years Charlotte Baker Sabatino. Jim is survived by 7 children - Sharon Noah, James A Sabatino Jr, Michael Wilds, Michael Sabatino, Larry Wilds and his wife Robin, Bruce Wilds and his wife Vicky, and Anne Elliot and her husband James; 15 grandchildren Tim Klix, Jamie Sabatino, James Noah and his wife Mary Ann, Lauren Chevalier and her husband Brian, Jessica Sabatino, Tony Sabatino and his wife Kristinha, Michael Sabatino and his wife Josi, Michelle Wilds, Jonathan Sabatino, Carter Elliot, James Elliot, Andrew Wilds, Charlotte Elliot, Sophia Wilds, and Alexis Wilds; 9 great-grandchildren Tyler Klix, Joshua Noah, Katie Kincaid her husband Wade, Christian Sabatino, Madeleine Sabatino, James Sabatino, Jack Chevalier, Killian Sabatino, and Ryan Chevalier; and 1 great-great-grandchild, Levi Kincaid. Friends may call Friday, October 16, 2020 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Demaine Funeral Home, 10565 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fairfax Presbyterian Church, 10723 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030. Attendance at the church will be limited to 125 with social distancing and masks required. For those who are not able to attend, a livestream of the service will be available at the following link: https://fairfaxpresbyterian.org/fpc/sermons Interment will follow in the Fairfax City Cemetery. If you would like to donate in lieu of flowers please give to the American Stroke Association.