Sami J. Baghdady, 91, of Belmont passed away peacefully on Dec. 26, 2024.
Sami was born on April 7, 1933, in Zahlé, Lebanon. In 1951, he enrolled at the American University of Beirut, and in 1952, he immigrated to the United States. In 1956, he earned a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, and a master’s in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech in 1958. Sami completed the Management of Research and Development program at MIT and the Random Processes, Linear Systems, and Radar Program at the University of Michigan.
After teaching and consulting in applied mathematics and electrical engineering, Sami became the director and general manager of the Advanced Communications Company, Inc. (ADCOM, Inc.), an aerospace communication and data management firm in Cambridge. He completed the merger of ADCOM, Inc., with the Los Angeles-based Teledyne, Inc. and was appointed president of the division, Teledyne-ADCOM.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Sami transitioned to real estate construction and management, founding Cedar Crest Construction. Sami took great pride in building apartment buildings and townhouses in Greater Boston, West Palm Beach, Florida, and his hometown of Zahlé, Lebanon.
Sami took even greater joy in building a family. In 1960, Sami met his wife, Nadia, while visiting his mother in Zahlé, and they married four days later, remaining together for the rest of his life. Their love for one another is evident 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 live in Belmont, so he could enjoy both them and his grandchildren.
Sami loved to travel to Florida, where he enjoyed fishing and sitting on his balcony watching the boats on the ocean. He eagerly awaited the stunning Florida sunrise and the vibrant sunset at the end of each day. His love for his native Lebanon drew him to travel to Zahlé frequently, where he enjoyed the grapes, figs, apricots, plums, peaches, cherries, apples, pears, and pomegranates from his kroum (vineyard). He took great pleasure in making and enjoying homemade arak from his distillery in the kroum as he, his children, and their many friends grilled food, drank, and laughed.
While Sami was not only a fantastic storyteller, he was also a compassionate and caring friend. His Belmont home was open to family and friends who sought advice and guidance, a homemade Lebanese meal, or a place to stay. Sami spent most Sundays entertaining family and friends as he prepared homemade kibbeh nayyeh, hummus, and tabouleh and listened to and sang his favorite Om Kalthoum songs. As Intercontinental President for North America and First Vice President of the World Lebanese Cultural Union in Lebanon (WLCU), Sami traveled domestically and internationally, advocating for Lebanese immigrants worldwide.
Sami was the 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.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sami’s memory can be made to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church or Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Sami was laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery in Arlington.
