Raymond Louis Sabbag

Raymond  Louis Sabbag of Auburndale, Massachusetts, passed away on December 21, 2022. He was 89 years old.

Ray was the dear and devoted husband for 64 years of Mary Lou (McAvoy) Sabbag. Loving Father of Brenda Louise Sabbag and Her partner Anthony Chauvin of Portsmouth, RI; Kenneth Raymond Sabbag, MD and his wife Margaret of Pasadena, CA; Rachel Reynolds, MD and her husband Matthew Reynolds, MD of Needham, MA. Dear grandfather “Gido” of Michael and Joseph Nardolillo; Jacqueline, Michaela and Catherine Sabbag; Thomas and Julia Reynolds. Loving brother of the late Marie Sabbag, Easa Sabbag and Lorraine Aswad. Brother-in-law of Herbert Aswad of Newton and the late Alice Sabbag. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Ray was born in Boston on January 30, 1933, the youngest son of Louis and Matilda Sabbag. He spent his early years in Allston, MA on Raymond St. with his family and many cousins. The family then spent several years on their chicken farm in South Natick where he developed his love of gardening and building things. Ray proudly served his country as an Army radio operator during the Korean war, achieved the rank of Corporal, and was honored to be a United States Military Veteran throughout the rest of his life.

Ray furthered his education at the Franklin Institute and graduated with a degree in Structural Engineering. An astute businessman, he founded Design Structures in 1968, and led the company for a very successful 25 years. His second career was as President of Caffe Appassionato East Coast where he ran three successful stores until his retirement. He was then instrumental in opening and operating Provencal Bakery and Café with his daughter Brenda, and served as the CEO and Farmers Market vendor extraordinaire along with his three grandsons. He was also a dedicated volunteer for the Jimmy Fund golf program.

Above all, Ray was a family man. Every aspect of his life revolved around his wife Mary Lou and his children and grandchildren. Family vacations, summers in Westminster, or hanging around the back yard, Ray and Mary Lou were the life of the party. Ray coached Little League, watched countless soccer and lacrosse games, tennis matches, gymnastics meets, dance recitals, crew races, and concerts. He was also a top caddie. He was an honorary student at Colgate University twice alongside his daughters, and there was no excuse too small to take the five-hour ride to Hamilton, NY. He never missed a Crew race when Kenny was at Wesleyan.

He was well known in his second community of Newport, RI, where in their later years, he and Mary Lou would spend most weekends. For 17 years, Rhode Islanders were treated to Ray’s smile as he worked farmers markets for Provencal Bakery, where he trained his grandchildren how to sell, display, do quick math and work with customers. He would tell them childhood stories about working at his father’s store in Harvard Square, where his pay was an ice cream cone and five cents for his trolley ride home.

Anyone who knew Ray knows that he was a die-hard Red Sox fan. A season ticket holder since 1968, Ray suffered numerous heartbreaks…1975 World Series Joe Morgan, 1978 Bucky Dent, 1986 Bill Buckner. He remained a true fan and was finally rewarded in 2004 with a Championship, making him a happy man.

Ray was the greatest man of the greatest generation in our estimation. He was a truly honorable gentleman, and a man of tremendous character who was universally loved. Work hard, be kind and fair. Love your family.  His easy laugh was infectious. He courageously fought through numerous surgeries and rehabilitations, determined to stay and take care of his family, who were all with him in the hours before he passed. May his memory be eternal.

Funeral Service Wednesday December 28, 2022 at 12 p.m. at the Church of St. John of Damascus 300 West St. Dedham. Visiting hours in the Church beginning at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. The family kindly requests that visitors wear masks.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Raymond Sabbag may be made to the church (www.stjohnd.org) or to the Cardiovascular Fellowship Fund at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center by visiting www.bidmc.org/giving or by check made payable to “Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center” with “Ray Sabbag/Cardiovascular Fellowship Fund” in the memo line. Contributions can be mailed to: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Office of Philanthropy, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215

Interment at Fairview Cemetery, Hyde Park.

Church of St. John of Damascus
300 West St., Dedham MA 02026
Web: http://www.stjohnd.org

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Office of Philanthropy
330 Brookline Avenue (OV), Boston MA 02215
Email: development@bidmc.harvard.edu
Web: https://giving.bilh.org/bethisraeldeaconessmedicalcenter