Two Hundred Mourn at Rites for Norwood Selectman Abdallah A. “Alec” Abdallah After Sudden Passing During Veterans Day Parade-November 14, 1968

Funeral Cortege Re-Traces Veterans Day Route Past Balch School, South Norwood Hardware Store, and Norwood Hospital to Highland Cemetery

NORWOOD — In a deeply poignant final journey, Norwood Selectman Abdallah A. “Alec” Abdallah—who suffered a fatal heart attack while marching in Monday’s Veterans Day parade—followed the parade route once more yesterday inside a flag-draped coffin.

Led by a delegation of Norwood policemen, the funeral cortege began on Washington Street in front of the Balch School (where the auditorium is proudly named in honor of his father), paused briefly before his South Norwood hardware store, and proceeded up Subway Hill. Just past Norwood Hospital, the procession turned toward Highland Cemetery, where the 58-year-old selectman was laid to rest in the Abdallah family plot.

Byzantine Services Led by Rev. Nifon Abraham Draw Town Officials, Dignitaries, and Hundreds of Mourners

Approximately 200 mourners braved a chilling wind at the graveside as the Rev. Nifon Abraham of St. George’s Syrian Orthodox Church intoned the final prayers of the burial ceremony. Earlier, more than 300 mourners filled the church for services where traditional Byzantine hymns were chanted in both Arabic and English.

The vast gathering included town officials, municipal employees, constituents, family members, and close friends paying tribute to a dedicated civic leader. Among the distinguished guests in attendance were:

• Clergy & Civic Leaders: Rt. Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Sennott and Rev. Francis J. Hardiman of St. Catherine of Siena Church.
• County & State Officials: County Commissioner Thomas K. McManus, County Treasurer Raymond Warmington, and State Representatives David C. Ahearn and Alan P. Danovitch.
• Pallbearers: Police Sergeants Arthur Groh and William Travers, alongside community members George Elias and Edward S. Thomas.

In his moving eulogy, Father Abraham commemorated Selectman Abdallah’s lifelong devotion to the community, declaring, “He dedicated his life to this town. His town will miss him. We have suffered a great loss.” In keeping with family tradition, mourning guests were later welcomed back to the Abdallah home for a traditional post-funeral reception.

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