‘Best Dad’ called a role model for his kids

A resident of Maricopa since 2006, Michael Sabo was named Best Dad in Maricopa through an online poll at InMaricopa. The contest was sponsored by Ace Hardware to celebrate Father’s Day.

“It’s amazing,” Sabo said. “Very amazing.”

Sabo, a business analyst with two children, was nominated three times, and his wife Jheymmy reached out to every relative and friend she had across the country to urge them to vote. At stake was a Traeger grill with wood pellets, grill cover and Slot Dog.

“All of my co-workers were like, ‘You owe us a barbecue,’” Jheymmy said.

Sabo said they intend to grill up some carne asada Sunday, Father’s Day. He was one of 40 nominees who drew a combined 10,962 votes.

In nominating her husband, Jheymmy used many terms: “Supportive, determined, loyal, honest, role model, considerate, involved, grateful, strong family values, patient, easy-going.”

She said family has always been his top priority.

“His love and care for our wonderful children is unmeasurable,” she said. “I’m blessed to call him my husband and best friend.”

Tanya Dye also called him “an amazing man” in a separate nomination. “He has a way of conquering the mountains in life to obtain a master’s degree in finance, to teach his children the most important lesson is to never give up.”

The runner-up for Best Dad was local business owner Bo Johnson.

“He’s really good with the kids; it’s all about the kids all the time,” said wife Michelle.

Her nomination including a photo of her husband covering his daughter’s dance outfit with rhinestones.

“Most know him for Yogurt Jungle, but our kids know him as daddy and that title is even more rewarding for him,” she said.

“I was surprised at first, because we got so many votes right off the bat,” he said.

The second-place prize from Ace was a 240-piece Craftsman socket set and a 100-piece ratcheting screwdriver and bit set.

“Honestly, I’ll probably use this more than I would the grill,” Johnson said.

See all the wonderful nominees at InMaricopa.com/contests.