Calvin “Cal” Sabatini, former WDIO Sports director, passed away

Calvin “Cal” Arthur Sabatini, a former Sports Director for WDIO passed away on Saturday, October 28, 2023 in Duluth. He was 83.

Sabatini was the face of WDIO Sports for much of the 70s and early 80s.

“Cal’s knowledge of local sports was phenomenal in that he was an Iron Range sports writer for years before coming to WDIO. He definitely left his viewers well informed,” said former WDIO news anchor Dennis “Denny” Anderson.

From his obituary:

Cal is survived by his wife of 38 years, Kim; his children, son, Cal of San Jose, CA. son, Nick of Brentwood, CA., daughter, Cara (Jeff) Banchero of San Mateo, CA.; and son, Anthony of Honolulu, HI.; eight grandchildren, Cal, Dustin, Derick, Dominic, Stephanie, Weston, (Rachael) Mendez, Alessandro, and five great grandchildren, Dominic, Ocean, Devon, (Colten) Mendez, and (Landon) Mendez.

He is preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Cecilia Sabatini.

Our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the devoted care givers who took such good care of him while at ViewCrest Health Center.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at St. Raphael’s Church; 5779 Seville Road, Duluth, Minnesota. The visitation will be at 10:00am with services following at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Animal Allies Humane Society in Duluth, Minnesota.