The Honorable Michael Shaheen Sahady, 87, passed into his eternal rest on October 3rd, 2023.  Born in Hasrout, Lebanon, he was the son of the late Shaheen M. and Freida H. Sahady and brother of the late, Edward S. Sahady.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Violette H. Sahady, their three children, Attorney John M. Sahady (Pauline) of Dartmouth, Attorney Paul M. Sahady (Marie) of Tiverton, RI, and Doctor Deanna M. Sahady of Worcester, and six grandchildren, Joline, Michael, Catherine, George, Mack and Harold.

On October 12th, 1935, Michael was born in a small village called Hasrout, high in the Shouf mountains of Lebanon. At the age of twelve, he emigrated to the United States with his mother, Freida, joining his father, Shaheen. Shaheen had earned his citizenship after fighting as an infantryman in the United States Army and suffering wounds during combat in the trenches of France in World War I. The family lived on Quequechan Street in the Flint neighborhood of Fall River for many years and Michael ultimately lived most of his life in Fall River. Without even knowing a word of English, Michael was placed at the Prevost High School in Fall River at the age of twelve and graduated at the age of sixteen. At age twenty, he graduated from Tufts University with a double major in English and Government. He then attended Boston College Law School and financed his education with many different low-paying jobs. Throughout his teenage years, his college years, and his law school years, he worked many difficult jobs to fund his education. He inculcated in his children an appreciation for the value of hard work and encouraged them to become productive members of society.

Upon graduation from law school, he began his work as an attorney in the city of Fall River. He was the first Lebanese lawyer in the city and was very proud to represent the Lebanese community. He found brotherhood amongst the immigrants of Fall River who came to the United States to work for a better life. He fiercely advocated for justice for thousands of Portuguese and other immigrant families throughout Bristol County.  He was presented with multiple awards for his excellence in representing injured workers, including a humanitarian award and an award of appreciation from the union of textile workers.  He was elected to the School Committee in the city of Fall River. In 1977, he was elevated to the bench and served as Justice of the Second District Court of Bristol. As a District Court judge, he presided in many courts around the Commonwealth, including Fall River. He later received a special appointment to preside at the Boston Superior Court and he served there for several years. At a national level, he was a prominent leader of the Christian Lebanese-American community. In his capacity as a leader of the "Save Lebanon" organization, he met with then President Jimmy Carter at the White House. Thereafter, he led the "Save Lebanon" organization to meet with Pope Saint John Paul II to promote the cause of the Christians in Lebanon who were facing extinction during the civil war. He brought his two sons with him to Rome where they were blessed by Pope Saint John Paul II. He spent a week at the Vatican and was granted two private audiences with the Pope to promote solutions for the Christians in the Lebanese civil war.

Michael eventually returned to the practice of law in Fall River. He was proud to work as a trial lawyer in partnership with his sons for twenty-seven years until his eventual and reluctant retirement at the age of eighty-four. He was a member of the Massachusetts Bar for sixty years. Above all, he loved his wife, his children, and his grandchildren.  His second love was the Constitution of the United States. He loved nature and enjoyed gardening.  He learned to ski at the age of forty-four and loved being in the mountains because they reminded him of his childhood. He rode horses and read voraciously. He could routinely be found in the early morning hours in his office with his coffee and newspaper as he was continuously educating himself in world and local affairs. On three occasions, his writings on international relations were published in the Op/Ed section of the New York Times. With his characteristic stoicism, he courageously battled Parkinson's disease. He was a true and complete embodiment of the American Dream.

His Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, October 7th, at St. Anthony of the Desert Church followed by a private committal at St. Patrick Cemetery both in Fall River. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in his memory to St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 No. Eastern Ave., Fall River, MA 02723.

Family members are always grateful for relatives and friends wishing to make in-person expressions of kindness and support. If you were unable to do so, because of this pandemic or any other reason, all are urged to express their sympathy online or by mail. To ensure that said condolences and/or sympathy cards reach the family, please always make sure that submissions online are made directly through the funeral home's website (www.silvafaria.com) and not through a third party. Thank you!

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