John R. Sabotta
February 27, 1972 ~ March 6, 2015
John R. Sabotta, 43, of Cedar Rapids passed away unexpectedly March 6, 2015 at his apartment. A celebration of his life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday March 14, 2015 at Stewart Baxter Funeral and Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids by Deacon Jim Berger. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at St. John's Cemetery beside his father, Quentin R. Sabotta who died in 2012.
John was born in Cedar Rapids as the 8th child of Quentin and Phyllis Sabotta on February 27, 1972. He attended Grant grade School, Wilson Jr. High and graduated from Jefferson High School. He was a member of the Wilson choir, Jefferson West Side Delegation and had the lead in 'Pirates of 'Penzance'. While at the University of Iowa he was a member of the Old Gold Singers and Beaumont Glass' Opera group performing in Il Travatore.
When he left college due to medical issues he became a 20 year participant in Dr. Nancy Andreasen's Schizophrenic study. Through their care, advanced drugs and support from the local Abbe Center John was able to function independently and participate in nightly karaoke events. His brother Paul provided the car to meet up with friends. There will be a 'Tribute to John' at 8 p.m. Saturday the 14th at Rumors.
John's interest in music was all inclusive. Starting at age five he performed a special arrangement of 'The Entertainer' written by his piano teacher, Olga Drahozal at the first Grant School Talent Show. Later he discovered a trumpet with its mouthpiece missing but figured out how to make it play, ultimately becoming a member of the Jefferson Band of Blue, playing a much better horn. Recently he had been practicing his guitar skills. He created a disc of his original compositions and kept trying to organize a band of his own. He had an interest in the Stone City playhouse, the Follies and the recent Don Giovanti opera which he attended with his mother.
John had a passion for football forever and for several years was involved with the Waterloo arena league as player, filmer or announcer. John was employed at Nordstrom for five years and was presently a Walmart Greeter.
His most unusual passion began in 7th grade doing freehand drawings of stadiums. It progressed to learning CAD drawing at Kirkwood and creating a volume of journals of these multipurpose stadiums in color. He attended many City Hall meetings hoping to convince them to use one of his ideas in the post-flood rebuilding.
John is survived by his mother, Phyllis Sabotta; three brothers, Paul of Cedar Rapids, Mike of Cypress, Texas, and Vince of Des Moines, Iowa; five sisters, Denise Ledegar of Holmen, Wisconsin, Diane Blewett of North Liberty, Iowa, Christine Beguhn of Johnston, Iowa, Sara Panek of Cedar Rapids and Linda Williams of Robins, Iowa; and 17 nieces and nephews. Because John never married or had children he loved teaching these nieces/nephews chess or playing board games with them at family gatherings.
Memorials are suggested to the local Abbe Center or to Dr. Nancy C. Andreasen's University of Iowa Schizophrenia study.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
John was such a friendly and talented guy… he will truly be missed by all who knew him… my condolences go out to his family… Sharon Hernden (aka Sharonna)
Our thoughts n prayers go out to Johns mom, n family. May God wrap his wings around you n give comfort during these hard times. He may be gone but not forgotten, as he will live on in hearts from all the memories.
John had a big and generous heart. He invited me into his family and circle of friends. I appreciate his friendship and have many fond memories. Definitely going to miss him. Holding his family in thoughts and prayers… Jim Greene
My heart goes out to John’s family. I knew John in high school from the music program. He had the voice of an angel. Now he will be a voice in God’s choir. Rest in peace John.
I went to high school with John, he had a big heart and helped whenever he could. He will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
I am so sorry for your loss. John and I shared some very special times together and he holds a special place in my heart. I will miss him dearly.
So sorry for your loss he was a real nice man
TO HIS FAMILY WHERE CAN I SEND A CARD TO PLESAE LET ME KNOW U CAN EMAIL ME AT CAROLYNKEVIN47@MSN.COM THANK U CAROLYN
I had worked with John at walmart he always had a cheerful smile & he had never missed a day of work. He also was known by Hustler at karaoke shows at Rumors or Lone Lone Star bars & grill. RIP John we all will miss u at Wal-Mart.
I remember John from my bar-tending days at Rumor’s. John showed me his drawings of stadiums on several occasions. They were very good. God’s speed John! Deepest sympathies to all of his family and friends.
Very sorry to hear about John’s passing. I enjoyed catching up with him at the high school reunion last year. John’s singing voice was truly a gift.
Mark Kellerman
I went all the way through school with John. Prayers to family and friends of John. You will be missed.
Very Sorry to hear about John’s passing I went to school with John had several classes with him was a very sweet kind and funny guy. Prayers to all! Brooke Baker Gager
John was a very talented singer! He put life into the nights at karaoke. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
I remember the hustler Wintook a normal good karaoke he was always so much fun to be around. He always sang some of the most unexpected karaoke songs he will be missed.
I am going to miss so many things. I remember when Sarah and I met you at karaoke. You were such an awesome, genuine person. There needs to be more like you.
With love always,
Andrea (Bubbles)
Sorry for your loss…I use to be a Co worker with John at Walmart west…he was a good friend and will be dearly missed
My name is charity fults
I went to school with john. He was a very talented musician. I’m so sorry for your loss.
My deepest sympathy to John’s family. I went to high school with John and will remember his unbelievable vocal talent and kindness. Most recently, I would see John at Walmart and also saw him at our reunion last July. He was always smiling. The attached picture is from our 25th class reunion. Sincerely, Noreen Colbeck-Bush
John had the most amazing tenor voice! He played recordings of some of the opera work he had done, and it was astonishing. Great spirit, great zeal for life. You will be missed.
Bill Skelton
Every time I saw John he always had a smile on his face and also he had a joyful voice when he was singing. Rest in pease Jon we will miss you at Subway
sincerely Norma Solis
John was the friendliest guy and will be missed! So sorry for your loss!
So sorry to hear of his passing. Thoughts and prayers go out to John’s family and friends.
Brian and Rebecca Lauer
I will always remember how much fun it was to listen to you sing and the selection you chose to sing, you will be very missed, RIP John.
My prayers are with johns mom and family. He was a special person. So kind and good.allways a big friendly smile.you could tell he genuinely was glad to see you. I knew John from kareoke days past. He had a sweet voice . Then started seeing him at Walmart. He will truley be missed. We need more johns in this world. God be with the family. R.I.P john
I got to know John in high school and shared many choir classes and performances with him. I always got goose bumps and still do just thinking about him singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” for West Side Delegation our senior year. It was always amazing and the perfect song for him to sing. Such a nice person and the most friendly guy. My heart goes out to John’s family, we’ll miss him.
My sympathy and sorrow on the death of your brother and son.
Joie Hand
I’m so very sorry to hear the news and would like to extend my prayers and deepest sympathies to Mrs. Sabotta and all the Sabotta family. John was such a talented piano student of Mother’s and practiced much more diligently than I did!
I was very sad to learn of John’s passing and my heart goes out to his family and friends. He was such an amazing talent and I will always remember him fondly.
john was a very happy guy ..he loved his music thats for sure .and he did have a dance for some of his songs : )
I worked with John at Wal-Mart. He made it enjoyable to come to work everyday. He always had a smile on his face and always tried to make sure everyone was ok. He was a great friend. He will be truly missed!
John was a true friend who was so uplifting to be around. I will miss going to lunch with him, seeing his drawings, working on music. I will miss his phone calls. Cedar Rapids music scene lost one of it’s greatest supporters and members. I am proud to have been friends with him. Thank you John, you gave me so much. Our friendship was a good one. Much love to the family.
Our sympathy and thoughts are with all that John touched in his life.
sorry for your loss
I also went to high school with John. Had the honor of sharing the stage with him numerous times. The most recent was in the TCR production of Big River where we got to do a scene together. He was probably the friendliest, most genuine person I’ve known. Rest well John, and know you will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to his family as well.
Brian Lauer
I am so sorry for your loss, John was a very sweet person & I will miss seeing him when I go to the store. I will true my miss his smile at the door. Again I am sorry for the loss of this very sweet man.
Sabotta family,
Thoughts and prayers with you all during this difficult time, from reading all of the comments and tributes, John was a loved man 🙂 and from the sounds of it a very good singer. God bless you all and may you find comfort in your memories.
Alison Bell and family
I met John when he started taking guitar lessons with me maybe around the year 1999 or 2000. Over time became really tight friends. He called me “Maestro” and spoke to me in German. He was so funny. He teased me. He told me about when he was in musicals at Jefferson and we discussed his musical studies at the U of IA. That was a big deal to him. I know things got difficult for him there in IC and we talked about that too. But he overcame all that and really came into his own. He’d show up to many of my musical performances and drink pop and hang out. Always making the scene. After the show, he’d stick around to talk a little more and often helped me load my gear out to the van. He didn’t have to do that. But we laughed and laughed and said anything that was on our minds and it was fine. Talking outside on the sidewalk in the middle of the night when there was nobody else around. He’d even drive a pretty long distance to see me play! He’d just drive over there and hang out not knowing anyone in the bar. Nobody does that! Awesome!!! Very easy going friendship where nobody had to prove anything, totally honest and relaxed. It’s very hard to find a friend like that. We could be as silly as we wanted to be and say anything and it was normal for us. John took the time to call me every so often. He’d always remind me that he loved me. We’d plan getting together for lunch as often as we could. He’d also stop over to talk about work, singing, music and his designs. We also talked about football and the team. We talked about stadiums and where he thought they needed to be built and his discussions with local government members. We did a little bit of recording in my studio though we never focused very hard or got much done an that is a big big regret. I kept trying to get him to write a complete song but he could only get a few lines started. I can relate to that, it’s harder than it looks! I wrote and recorded some jams for him to work with and he liked that. One time he was going to ride along to a gig in the van but he was late and I had to go. I felt bad and I know it made him sad too. Sorry about that! I also ran into him at a rest stop on I-80 (he was on his way to a nephew’s football game). He loved to tell me about Franz Shubert’s “Winter Journey”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winterreise, he mentioned it a lot. I think he related to the story. Maybe he thought he was the character in the story. I do that a lot too. He brought me the sheet music but I didn’t get very far with it. I didn’t get it, but I do now. Look it up and you might learn something about John. He told me about his work, his health situations, singing, his breakthroughs and realizations. He listened to me talk about teaching, my band situations, we talked about his performances. He continued to take a lesson now and then on guitar. It took him a while, Guitar is difficult, but I was surprised at how well he could play after not hearing him jam for a while. He came to my church where I was playing in a praise band and checked it out one time. That was nice of him to give it a listen. One day he showed up pretty upset and we walked all over my yard talking. He had gotten upset at his job and walked away from it. I told him maybe you should go back and try to work it out. He had other options and we talked it over. He was welcomed back to his work. Who would want to lose such a good guy? I look out to the street where his black car would pull up and am so sad he won’t be doing that any more or calling. If the phone rang, it was either a telemarketer or John! You were way too young John! You had a youthful mind and spirit. Such an outgoing guy. Not shy about meeting new people either. He’d look ya in the eye and shake your hand. Everyone who came to my shows got to know you. You really did touch so many lives. You took the time to be there for everybody! You were real and honest, no hidden agenda, just wanted to hang out and connect with people and you did that well. I am so lucky to have been your friend.
John was a year behind me in school but we were in Concert Choir together. Amazing singing voice, his is a talent that will truly be missed
Phyllis and Paul this must be a terrible time for you. My thoughts are with you. I know how much John meant to you.
I helped John with some legal matters years ago. I still think of you him, you Phyllis and Paul.
Philip Reisetter
319-621-2521
I’m so sorry for your loss. John and I were friends in high school, we had many classes in common, and I had the honor of performing with him in Pirates. He was such a talented young man, and I will always remember how enthusiastic he was about his music. The world lost true talent.
I am so sorry for your loss. I also went to school with John and was in choir with him. Even tho he was a year behind me, I still remember his amazing voice!! The Angels now have another member to their choir.
Melissa (Gordon) Kaegbein
We are so very sorry for your loss.
Rest in Peace John.. Sing away in Heaven where you will never have to wait your turn…
I will see ya soon, my friend. I cry for my loss and the loss of everyone left here… We all have a John-O shaped hole in our hearts. But I know your voice is ringing with the angels and you will greet me with a hug when I come join you. Til then, you are loved and missed <3
I worked with John in shipping at Nordstrom Direct. He was a loyal friend He kept us entertained and you could always get him to sing Happy Birthday to who ever. He shared with me stories of football, of being there to film the team, and his drawings for football stadiums. John was always willing to do the jobs asked of him. He tried to get me to go to karaoke with him and I never did, now I am sorry that I didn’t. Prayers to your family John, and sing loud and long now. You will be missed. Maretta Portzline
Shocked to see this! I have known John for many years. Passionate singer and always with a kind word. We would speak on Facebook from time to time. Even from grade school days he was always so nice to me. I will miss him. Love and thoughts to his family.
Linda and Family— I was saddened to read in the paper about the passing of your brother John. I remember you talking about all of your siblings when we .worked together at Cox Cable. It is always so hard to lose a loved one. I know you will miss him dearly. Your friend Lynne Smith
John was such a great, funny, intense, talented guy. My first, and best, friend in college, I’m so happy we kept in touch even though we lived thousands of miles from each other. I loved hearing about his successes, and the things that kept him happy, and it makes me so pleased to read all the wonderful things people have been saying about him. I know that would make him so happy, and I hope it helps his family see just what a wonderful, truly special guy he was. Miss you, John
I only knew you from the Karaoke shows we would go to. We all enjoyed entertaining the troops. I really thought you used a unique stage name. “Hustler” We all pray you will entertain the troops in Heaven, We will miss you. Gary McKinley “aka the Mad Dog”
So so so sorry for your loss, entire Sabotta family. I first met John when he was 1. I was 23, a neighbor, and John’s father, Quentin, helped me to learn about overhauling my broke engine, at Sabotta’s Garage in the basement of the house. It was a treat to see a large, vibrant family in motion. John was well pampered by the girls and teased by the boys. Paul was the classic Big Brother. Sounds like John was an incredible person who lived a life that made the world a much better place for many people. Rest in eternal peace John.
Now you can sing Imagine with the creator of the song!
John was my friend even though we only had little contact within the last years (mostly when he would call me after a karaoke night talking about singing and stadiums ). Having him as a friend and room mate at the UI was really remarkable as well as singing with him. Once in a while I watch the video of our concert during my last semester and just a couple days ago I told my children about him when “Imagine” played on the radio.
John, I will miss opening letters written around stadium drawings, phone calls at night and listening to CD´s with your music for the first time. I have never met another person who was so true to his friends and convictions as you were.Knowing you made my life better.
AMOI SEG’ MA UNS WIEDER SONGTEXT
Uns oin is die Zeit zu gehen bestimmt
Wie a Blattl trogn vom Wind geht’s zum Ursprung zruck als Kind
Wenn des Bluat in deine Adern gfriert
Wie dei Herz aufhört zum Schlogn und du aufi zu die Engerl fliagst
Dann hob ka Angst und loss di anfoch trogn
Weil es gibt was nach dem Lebm, du wirst scho segn
Amoi seg ma uns wieder
Amoi schau i a von obm zua
Auf meine oitn Tag leg i mi dankend nieder
Und moch für olle Zeitn meine Augen zua
Ois wos bleibt ist die Erinnerung
Und schön langsam wird da kloar, dass nix mehr is wias woar
Dann soll die Hoffnung auf a Wiedesehn
Mir die Kroft in mein Herzschlog legn, um weiter zu lebm
Amoi seg ma uns wieder
Amoi schau i a von obm zua
Auf meine oitn Tag leg i mi dankend nieder
Und moch für olle Zeitn meine Augen zua
A Liacht sui da leichtn bis in die Ewigkeit
Zur Erinnerung an die Lebenszeit.
Amoi seg ma uns wieder
Amoi schau i a von obm zua
Auf meine oitn Tag leg i mi dankend nieder
Und moch für olle Zeitn meine Augen zua
Auf meine oitn Tag leg i mi dankend nieder
Und moch für olle Zeitn meine Augen zua
Phyllis and Family, I’m very sorry for your lost. I enjoyed spending a few minutes talking with John at Wal Mart. Several years ago I asked him his last name and found out he was one of the Sabotta family from St. Luds. We talked music but I never knew how good he was! He is in the big choir now. I will miss him chatting with him.Norm Humble