Sami J. Baghdady

Sami J. Baghdady of Belmont, passed away on December 26, 2024. He was 91 years old.

Sami J. Baghdady was born on April 7, 1933 in Zahlé, Lebanon. In 1951, he commenced his undergraduate education at the American University of Beirut. In 1952, Sami immigrated to the United States with little in his pockets but an eye for achieving the American Dream. He completed his undergraduate education in Connecticut at the University of Bridgeport, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Mathematics in 1956. To further his education and on a full scholarship, Sami earned a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1958. Sami also took courses at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts and completed the Management of Research and Development Program. Moreover, Sami completed the Random Processes, Linear Systems and Radar Program at the University of Michigan.

After teaching and consulting in the field of Applied Mathematics and Electronic Engineering for three years and having realized the commercial potential of the electronic field, Sami became Director and General Manager of the Advanced Communications Company, Inc. (ADCOM, Inc.) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ADCOM, Inc. was a research, development and engineering organization specializing in the origination and evolution of concepts, systems and techniques for ground and aerospace communication and data management. Sami also completed the merger of ADCOM, Inc. with the conglomerate Teledyne, Inc. of Los Angeles, California and was appointed President of the division, Teledyne-ADCOM.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Sami transitioned from the field of research, development and engineering to real estate construction and management. Sami founded and owned Cedar Crest Construction, a real estate development and management company. During his tenure as a developer, Sami took great pride in building residential apartment buildings and town houses in the greater Boston area, West Palm Beach, Florida and his home town Zahlé, Lebanon.

As much as Sami loved to build homes, Sami took even greater joy in building a family. In 1960, Sami met his beloved wife of 64 years, Nadia, while visiting his mother in Zahlé and married her only four days after having met. Their love for one another can be found in their five children and 19 grandchildren who unconditionally admire, love and respect their father and grandfather.

Sami loved to spend time with his family and encouraged his children to all live in Belmont, Massachusetts allowing him to not only enjoy them, but also his grandchildren whom he loved so dearly and took great pride in.

Sami loved to travel to Florida where he enjoyed deep sea fishing and sitting on his balcony watching the boats on the ocean drive by. He eagerly awaited seeing the stunning Florida sunrise over the horizon and the vibrant sunset at the end of each day. His love for his native country Lebanon drew him to travel to Zahlé frequently where he enjoyed the harvest of grapes, figs, apricots, plums, peaches, cherries, apples, pears and pomegranates from his kroum, or vineyard. He took great pleasure making and enjoying homemade arak from his distillery in the kroum as he, his children, and their many friends grilled food, drank and laughed for many hours.

While Sami was not only an amazing storyteller bringing laughter to all, he was also a compassionate and caring friend. His home in Belmont was open to family and friends who sought advice and guidance, a delicious homemade Lebanese meal, or a place to stay. Sami spent most Sundays hosting and entertaining family and friends as he prepared homemade kibbeh nayyeh, hommus, and tabouleh and listened to and sang his favorite Om Kalthoum songs.

Sami loved supporting the Lebanese community. As Intercontinental President for North America and First Vice President of the World Lebanese Cultural Union in Lebanon (WLCU), Sami travelled domestically and internationally, advocating for Lebanese immigrants throughout the globe.

Sami was the dear and devoted husband of Nadia (Teeny). Loving father of Sami S. Baghdady and his wife Rola of Belmont, Sonia S. Hraiz and her husband Antoine of Belmont, Nadim S. Baghdady and his wife Sabine of Belmont, Samir S. Baghdady and his wife Carmen Delia of Belmont, and Camille S. Baghdady and his wife Remi of Belmont. Cherished grandfather, “Jiddo,” of Sami, Roni, Lou Lou, Julie, and Johnny Baghdady, Miriam, Christine, and Joseph Hraiz, Nadia, Nadim Jr., and Ramy Baghdady, Danielle, David, Gabrielle, Marc, and Michael Baghdady, and Christie, Stephie, and Camille Baghdady. Dear brother of the late George Baghdady, Violette Haddad, Georgette Tiller and Elie Baghdady. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Sami’s Funeral Service will be held Friday, January 3, 2025 at 10 a.m. at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 55 Emmonsdale Road, WEST ROXBURY.  Visitation in the Church Thursday, January 2, 2025 from 4-7 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sami’s memory may be made to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church or Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.  Please see links below under DONATIONS.

Sami will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery in Arlington.

St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church
P.O. Box 320164, West Roxbury MA 02132
Tel: 1-617-323-0323
Web: http://www.stgeorgeofboston.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