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Alfred J. Haddad of Arlington passed away on August 5, 2020. He was 92 years old.
Dear and devoted husband of 66 years to Marjorie (Sabbag). Beloved father of Bruce Haddad and Ronald Haddad of Arlington, Steven Haddad and his wife Martha of Carlisle, Cynthia and her husband Mark Haddad of Belmont, and the late Philip Haddad. Dear grandfather “Jido” of Matthew Haddad of Washington D.C., Philip Haddad of Carlisle, Anthony Haddad of Belmont, Lydia Haddad of Belmont, and Marjorie Haddad of Carlisle. Son of the late Rose (Homsy) and John Haddad. Dear brother of the late George Haddad and his wife Rachel, the late Lillian Khouri and her husband Antoon, the late Mitchell Haddad, the late Jamila Nawfel and her husband Elias, the late Russell Haddad and his wife Arlene, the late Gloria Matook and her husband Frederick. Dear brother-in- law of Marion Haddad of Natick. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Beloved "Uncle Al" to many.
Al was a proud U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War and long-time member and past Commander (2005-2007) of the Nicholas G. Beram Veterans Association. In his early professional years, he owned Al’s Launderette, worked in the garment district in Boston and eventually retired from the U.S. Postal Service.
Family was everything to Al. He was a proud and loving husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather. He lived to care for his bride Marjorie, who was the love of his life, his “honey bunny”. They shared a love that conquered all. He supported all his children in many ways, appreciated their love and respect, and their many accomplishments great and small. Of his proudest moments were to bring his son, Ron, to compete in the International Special Olympics representing Massachusetts; and walking his daughter, Cynthia, down the aisle 25 years ago.
He loved his grandchildren with all his heart and enjoyed teaching them, playing games and spoiling them as much as possible. They always brought a smile to his face and filled his heart with laughter, and he brought the same to theirs.
A dedicated son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, friend and neighbor. Before and after his retirement, he visited his mother in Natick every Thursday until she passed at age 111, never missing a week and always bringing something to share be it a meal, a flower, or a fresh picked cucumber from his garden.
Al was a man of respect and principles and once he liked you, he loved you. He was a friend to his neighbors from the youngest to the oldest and shared a special relationship with so many people from his hair stylist, to his auto mechanic, to the bank tellers, and the mini mart clerks where he played his lottery numbers, and so many others.
He never forgot those he lost. He proudly placed wreaths and plants on the gravesites of his beloved son and other family members every Christmas, Easter and Memorial Day. He made it his mission to place a special flag on each member’s grave of the NG Beram Veterans association for Memorial Day visiting several cemeteries throughout the greater Boston area. He did this every year until this year when he passed the torch to his son Steven, a US Navy veteran.
Being raised on the family farm in Natick, he always nurtured the farming life with the vast gardens he shared with his cousin they lovingly called the “Haddad-Medwar farms” for simple enjoyment and for teaching the next generation. Known as Mr. Green Thumb, his gardens flourished both inside and out. “Talking” to his plants was his secret formula for making his harvest full.
Al was proud of his Arabic heritage, language, culture, food, and music frequently entertaining his family and friends by playing the oud. A life-long member of the Church of St. John of Damascus, he always found comfort in the Arabic chanting of the Orthodox Hymns and enjoyed the many special events at Church, especially the traditional Arabic Hufli dances.
A man of strong will, hard work and determination led to his long life, not to mention his natural remedies (including garlic and honey) to cure everything. Always appreciative of the caregiving from his family, especially his eldest son Bruce, he continued to manage his own health care needs until his final days.
Al was a frequent visitor to the Veterans Hospitals in both West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain. He had tremendous trust in the caregiving of his doctors and nurses and always had his favorites. The family is so grateful for the professional and caring support extended to him and to them right up until the very end.
He died as he lived; surrounded by his loving family. Al was the end of an era.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private Funeral Service will be held Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the Church of St. John of Damascus in Dedham, followed by graveside funeral prayers at Fairview Cemetery, 45 Fairview Ave. Hyde Park. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the gate of Fairview Cemetery at 12:00 pm to join the funeral procession to the grave.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Al’s memory may be made to The Church of St. John of Damascus (stjohnd.org) or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alfred John Haddad, please visit our floral store.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Web: http://www.stjude.org
Church of St. John of Damascus
300 West St., Dedham MA 02026
Web: http://www.stjohnd.org