Robert A. Barakat

WEST BOYLSTON-Robert A. Barakat, 78, formerly of Hopkinton passed away Thursday, November 5 at home surrounded by his family.

He leaves his wife of 49 years, Mary M. (McConnon) Barakat; four sons, Ned Barakat and his wife, Jessica of West Boylston, Alex Barakat and his wife, Julie of Worcester, Chris Barakat and his husband, Tom of Westborough and Mich Barakat of Beaverton, OR; four grandchildren, Eliot, Brynn, Bodhi and Felix and Maher Habbal, who was like a son to Bob of Arlington. He was born in Boston, son of Nimr and Jennie (Deraney) Barakat and graduated from, Suffolk University, received his Master's degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and his P.H.D. from the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia.

Bob was a consultant for GTE and Arthur D. Little, for many years before retiring. In his earlier years he taught at Memorial University of Newfoundland and at Clark University. While at Clark Bob wrote The Cistercian Sign Language, a book about the study in non-verbal communication at Saint Joseph's Abbey.
He was a member of Saint Richard of Chichester Church in Sterling. Bob had a great passion for writing and enjoyed his many visits to Saint Joseph's Abbey.

A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, November 11 at 11AM in Saint Richard of Chichester Church, 4 Bridge Street, Sterling. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Saint Joseph's Abbey, 167 North Spencer Road, Spencer, 01562. Arrangements in the care of Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 1 West Boylston Street.