Carl Richard Rahey
It is with broken hearts that we, the family, announce the unexpected passing of Carl Richard Rahey on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at Newmarket, Ontario.
Born in 1930 in Zahle, Lebanon, he was the son of the late Richard Rahey and Deebie Kassouf. He was brought up in North Sydney following his family’s return to Canada when World War II broke out. For many years he operated businesses in Cape Breton including the Isle Royale Hotel and Motel, Sydney, the Belmont Hotel, North Sydney, and the Glace Bay Hotel.
In 1984 he and his family moved to King City, Ontario where he was in charge of Mergers and Acquisitions at Mayfield Property Management. There are two words that describe Carl - kind and gregarious. Although he left Cape Breton, his heart was always there and until last year he would return for business and socialize with his friends and family. Back home, in Ontario, his door was always open to his many friends and relatives - he was generous to the core!
In his younger years, Carl was a very active member of the Liberal Party. He was the epitome of lifelong learning and was well read on many topics. He also travelled extensively through his business operations in Beirut, Berlin, Geneva and Spain. Carl was extremely proud of his Lebanese heritage. In his earlier years, he frequently visited Lebanon when conducting business in the Middle East. He was fluent in the Arabic language and enjoyed conversing in it.
He valued family and in recent years enjoyed immensely his daily interaction with his four youngest grandsons. They were the light of his life.
Left to mourn his death are his wife, Linda; daughters, Carol (Basil), Catherine (Pierre -Yves), Carla (Billy) and Candice (Eric); his grandchildren, Calvin (Joanna), Christopher, Nicholas (Raquel), Shauna (Mike), Erin, Carl, Joshua, Jason and Justin; great grandchildren, CJ, Valerie and Anastasia; sister-in-law, Jamal, and many nieces and nephews.
Carl was the last and youngest living member of his family of eight children. He was predeceased by his daughter, Deebie; mother, Deebie; father, Richard; brothers, Raymond, JR, Olie and Iser; sisters, Eva, Marie and Isabel; sisters-in-law, Laurice and Vivian, and brothers-in-law, Ted, Mike and Michel.
Mass followed by a reception celebrating Carl’s life will take place at SW Chant and Son Funeral Home, 564 Alexandra St., Sydney on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to your charity of choice.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.chantsfuneralhome.ca.
