Albert Haddad

Dr. Albert Haddad

Noted Worcester Orthopedic Surgeon

WORCESTER/PAXTON - Dr. Albert Haddad, 96, respected Worcester area orthopedic surgeon, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2013, surrounded by his devoted family and friends.

His patients will fondly remember him for his engaging bedside manner and his ability to clarify the nature of their condition. He provided extended quality of life for the young and old he treated during his 40-year practice.

After graduating from North High School in 1935, he earned his undergraduate degree from Clark University in 1939 and went on to earn his Medical Degree in 1943 at Albany Medical School. As WWII was ending, he served his country as a General Surgeon at Fort Knox, KY, later being decorated with the WWII Victory Medal. It was at Fort Knox where Albert was assigned to the orthopedic unit. As he would say, it was that "serendipitous" assignment that led him to continue his training to become an orthopedic surgeon. He also completed a residency at the Children's Seashore Hospital in Atlantic City, NJ, which specialized in treating children with polio.

Dr. Haddad opened his practice in 1953, and was on the staff of Fairlawn, Memorial, Worcester City and Hahnemann Hospitals, all in Worcester. He also practiced at Hubbard Hospital in Webster and at Harrington Hospital in Southbridge. For many years he was the physician for Wyman Gordon Co. in Worcester and Grafton. After the Tornado of 1953, local hospitals were filled to capacity. Dr. Haddad was instrumental in establishing an emergency treatment outpost at the Worcester Memorial Auditorium to accommodate the overflow of victims in need of emergency care.

Dr. Haddad was a humorist and musician. He'd tell a joke, play his "chromatic" harmonica or play the "Middle Eastern" drum at social events, with little or no prompting. He had a love of education and keen intellect that age could never dull. He strove to keep his mind and body active, and took pride and found enjoyment in always maintaining his own grounds. He credited this welcomed exercise routine of physical labor to his longevity. An avid skier, he could be found on the slopes of Mt. Wachusett into his 90s with his senior ski buddies. Al was passionate about golf, and spent much of his life analyzing his swing, coming close to "finding the secret" several times. He was always anxious to share and demonstrate his discoveries with other golf enthusiasts.

Albert was born in 1917 in his parent's home on Wall Street, the predominantly Lebanese neighborhood of Worcester. He was 1 of 10 children born to Kalil and Hida (Merhidge) Haddad, who arrived in the United States in 1897. Dr. Haddad is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, June (Hawie) Haddad of Paxton, and his sister, Helen Haddad of Worcester. He is predeceased by another sister, Mary Kourey and seven brothers, Joseph, George, William, Arthur, Philip, Gabriel, and his twin brother Mitchell, who always held a special place in his heart.

He leaves 4 children: A. Douglas Haddad and his wife Patricia of Paxton and Webster Lake, Susan Haddad Doscher and her husband Kevin of Pittsfield, Candace Haddad of Worcester and Wayne Haddad and Gisele of Worcester.

He leaves his grandchildren: Alexander Haddad, Adam Haddad and his wife, Angela, Andrea Sweetland and her husband Tim, Andrew Haddad, Emily Haddad, Mitchel Haddad and his wife Laura, Mathew Haddad, Abigail Haddad, Jessica Vajcovec and her husband Chase, Hannah and Randy Katz, and Pat Turano Jr. He leaves five great-grand children: Ashley Iwanski, Sophia and Sydney Haddad, Jack and Mary Sweetland. In addition, he leaves his beloved childhood friend of 81 years, Eli Freedman, as well as his friend and harmonica band member Mert Baker, who "jammed" with him for over 20 years. He also leaves, many special nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends.

It is especially meaningful to his family that Albert passed on what would have been the 90th birthday of Dr. Felix Cataldo, his cherished friend and colleague.

Dr. Haddad was enveloped in caring, comfort and warmth in the home of his devoted grandson Mitchel and his wife Laura who provided him with loving hospice care during his illness. As Albert described it, his family members and friends were his "Sunshine", and made him "happy when skies were gray", a tune he loved to sing and play on his harmonica.

Seeking to promote education to the end, Dr. Haddad donated his body to the UMass Medical School Anatomical Gift Program as he asserted that his most useful learning experience in medical school was through opportunities provided by those who donated their bodies before him.

A Celebration of his Life will be held, in the relocated Worcester City Hospital Chapel, at the Beechwood Hotel, Plantation St., Worcester, MA, on Sunday, October 6th at 5 PM. His family will accept condolences after the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Hospice VNA Southboro or UMass Medical School Anatomical Gift Program.

The Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St. is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.