Waukegan's Sabonjian Dies // Controversial Former Mayor Led Suburb for 24 Years

Robert Sabonjian, 76, the colorful and outspoken former mayor ofWaukegan, died Wednesday at St. Luke's Hospital, Milwaukee.

Friends said he was on his way to a golf outing when hecomplained of not feeling well. Mr. Sabonjian was taken to St.Therese Hospital in Waukegan and transferred to St. Luke's.

Mr. Sabonjian, who underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 1987,was mayor of the far northern lakefront suburb from 1957 to 1977 andfrom 1985 to 1989. First elected as a Democrat and then as a Republican, his reign wasinterrupted by two losses to Democratic arch-foe Bill Morris.

"Bob Sabonjian and myself have been lifelong friends," said MayorHaig Paravonian. …