John Abdallah Dies In Parade At Norwood-November 11, 1968

Norwood Official Dies in Parade

Selectman John A. Abdallah, 59, of 1027 Washington St., collapsed today while marching in the Veterans’ Day parade and was pronounced dead on arrival at Norwood Hospital.

Born in Norwood, he was the son of the late Nicholas Abdallah, who was known as the “mayor” of South Norwood. Mr. Abdallah deserved a similar nickname.

He was a member of the M.B.T.A. Advisory Board, the Metropolitan Planning Commission, the Norwood Commission on Industrial Development, the Oldham School Building Committee, the playground advisory committee, the South Norwood Highway Committee, the South Norwood Fire House Committee, the South Norwood Improvement Assn., the Norwood Chamber of Commerce, the Mass. Relief Officers Assn, and the Mass, and Norfolk County Selectmen’s Assn.

He was the chairman of the School Housing Study Committee, the Balch School Building Committee, the Board of Public Welfare and the Bureau of Old Age Assistance.

Mr. Abdallah was the leader of the Syrian Colony, comprised of more than 200 families, and was a member of American Legion Post 70 and the Norwood Elks.

He leaves his wife, Helen (Dauksewicz); two daughters, Olga and Helen, and a son Nicholas, all of Norwood.

A requiem Mass will be sun at 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. George’s Syrian Orthodox Church.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Boston Globe

More In Memoriam Stories

Remembering Peter A. Wilson: Founder of Norwood’s A & B Auto School-July 4, 1984

Peter A. Wilson, a staple of Norwood business and driver education for over 30 years, passed away in 1984, leaving a legacy of community service through A & B Auto School.
In Memoriam: Louis Orent, 94, Founder of Orent Brothers Clothing Store-May 15, 1983

Louis Orent, a pioneering figure in New England retail and a beloved member of the Norwood community, passed away Friday in Hollywood, Florida, at the age of 94. Known widely as the “dean of New England retail clothing merchants,” Mr. Orent leaves behind a legacy defined by entrepreneurship, civic leadership, and decades of service to…
Norwood Selectmen Dedicate Memorial Plaque to Longtime Zoning Board Member George S. Williamson-August 8, 1979

Town officials, colleagues, and family members gathered at town hall to dedicate a memorial plaque honoring George S. Williamson’s 20-year service record on the Norwood Zoning Board of Appeals.
Norwood Fire Department Mourns the Loss of Deputy Chief Michael G. Benedetti, 52, Following a Long Illness-August 22, 1978

Lifelong Norwood resident and Deputy Fire Chief Michael G. Benedetti has passed away at age 52 after a long illness, leaving behind a distinguished 24-year career of fearless public service.
In Memoriam – Walter Blasenak

Former Norwood Town Manager, Dead At 71 Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the United Church of Norwood for Walter A. Blasenak, who was Norwood town manager for more than 14 years, from 1957 to 1971. Mr. Blasenak, 71, of 28 Nottingham Dr., died in Norwood Hospital yesterday after a long…
Callaghan Of Norwood, Played Major League Ball-June 24, 1975

The retired Plimpton Press employee and Norwood High alumnus held a historic major league record from a legendary 1922 highest-scoring game.
Harry Butters Of Norwood, Was Selectman For 37 Years-July 18, 1969

Harry B. Butters, a stalwart figure in Norfolk County politics for nearly four decades, passed away on July 17, 1969, at the Massachusetts General Hospital due to complications arising from surgery performed during the preceding month. The 71-year-old Norwood selectman’s demise marked the end of an era in local governance, as he had served an…
In Memoriam-John A. Abdallah

Deceased • November 11, 1968 John A. Abdallah served the Town of Norwood as a Selectman for four full three-year terms and served as its Chairman in 1967. At the time of his passing away, he was Chairman of the School Housing Study Committee. Chairman of the Balch School Addition Building Construction Committee, a member…
Retired Norwood Fire Chief Harry J. Butler Passes Away After 38 Years of Dedicated Service-September 16, 1968

Retired Norwood Fire Chief Harry J. Butler passes away at 70 after a 38-year career protecting the town; services planned at St. Catherine of Siena Church.
Miss Betty Eicke, 95, Former Norwood Hospital Superintendent and Nursing Leader-September 11, 1968

Memorial services are set for Betty Eicke, 95, former superintendent and director of nurses at Norwood Hospital who dedicated decades to nursing and hospital administration.