Gary David Sabourin's Obituary
Gary David Sabourin, 80, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 16, 2023 after struggling with many effects of Lewy body dementia. He was a resident of the Salt Lake City Veterans Home where he was valiantly cared for by many staff and hospice members in the Hall of Heroes for nearly a year.
Gary was born on March 19,1942 in Salt Lake City to Vaudis Bennion Seal Sabourin and Glen Tempest Seal. He grew up in the Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake and in his younger years he grew to know many places and details of that neighborhood, which always remained dear to him. His mother, Vaudis, remarried and at the age of 14 he was adopted by his step-father, Frank Marion Sabourin. Gary was active in the Scouting program and proudly received his Eagle Scout award. He attended the former South High School and later continued his education at Salt Lake Community College.
Gary was a Vietnam War veteran and honorably served his country as part of the US Navy from January 1962 to January 1968. He bravely completed two tours of duty to Vietnam aboard the USS Merrick before returning home to Utah. After his active naval service he met Catherine Faye Schwaar. They were married on December 29, 1967 in the Salt Lake Temple. They had three children, and then welcomed Cathy’s youngest brother as one of their own.
Although he tried his hand at several different professions, Gary ultimately became a longtime bus driver for the Utah Transit Authority. He knew many streets and highways of the Wasatch Front like the back of his hand and clocked more than two million miles behind the big wheel. Although he was a quiet and often solitary man, he loved his family, deeply enjoyed books and reading, adored many various cats, dogs, and horses the family had as pets over the years and was a passionate foodie in his own right.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Frank Marion and Vaudis Bennion Sabourin.
Gary is survived by his wife Catherine Faye Schwaar Sabourin, his four children: Carrie Lynn Parker (husband, Dan), Logan, UT; Michael Todd Sabourin (fiancé, Melissa), Riverton, UT; Heather Lee Sabourin (partner, Michael Lunter), Hanover, NH; David William Schwaar (wife, Charla), Taylorsville, UT; 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren with 2 more on the way.
A private viewing for family and close friends will be held Saturday, February 4, 2023, 10:30am at the William E. Christoffersen Veterans Home, 700 Foothill Blvd., Salt Lake City, UT 84113 (in the VA complex).
Funeral Services will follow at 11:00 am at the same location.
Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park 3401 Highland Drive, Millcreek, UT 84106 Northmont Section.
What’s your fondest memory of Gary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gary?
Share a story where Gary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gary you’ll never forget.
How did Gary make you smile?