# Shad Araby

Joseph "Shad" Araby (May 13, 1924 – August 17, 2006) was an American veteran, custodian, and supporter of Dedham youth, particularly Dedham High School athletics.

## Personal life

Araby was born in Dedham, Massachusetts. As a student at Dedham High School, Araby earned the nickname "Shad" from humming the Louis Armstrong song Shadrack. He was the water boy for the football team and served on the Boosters Club. After graduating from Dedham High School in 1942, Araby joined the United States Navy and served in World War II. He had a son, Frank, two grandchildren, a brother, James, and two sisters, Edith and Frances.
He was a member of the Italian American Citizens Club of Dedham. He enjoyed sports, reading, and jazz music.

## Career

After being discharged from the Navy, Araby took a position as an equipment manager for the Boston Red Sox. He was later known for referring to all the children of Dedham as "good kid," a practice he picked up from Ted Williams.
He then took a janitorial position at Dedham High School in 1959. He would remain at his alma mater for 31 years, retiring in 1990. He then was elected as a trustee of the Dedham Public Library.

## Supporter of Dedham youth

Araby was a passionate supporter of Dedham High School sports and did not miss a football or basketball game in many decades. While in the Navy, he went AWOL in order to watch the Dedham-Norwood rivalry football game. For a lifetime of support, he was a member of the first class of inductees to the Dedham High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
Araby supported anything to do with Dedham youth, including the St. Mary's LifeTeen program. Araby was the first member of the Dedham High School Alumni Association's Shiretown Club. A party for his 75th birthday was a fundraiser to build a skate park behind the Dedham Pool. Described as "the biggest bash Dedham has ever seen for one of her individual residents," with 1,000 tickets available, the party was held at Moseley's on the Charles.
After retiring, Araby volunteered at the Dedham Middle School, handing out sticks of Juicy Fruit gum and helping students who were having a tough day. He had a special focus on students from broken homes, trying to set a good example for them. When the Middle School hosted a "grandfather's coffee," where students interviewed their grandfathers and then invited them into the school for a special event, Araby would stand in for students whose grandfathers were not able to attend.

## Legacy

He died on August 17, 2006. His funeral was held at St. Mary's Church on August 19, and he is buried at Brookdale Cemetery, Veterans Hill.
The access road to the Dedham High School gym is named "Shad and Wendy's Way" for Araby and Wendell Clement. A tree in front of the High School was dedicated in his honor, and then rededicated on May 13, 2024, on what would have been Araby's 100th birthday. The Dedham Middle School gym is dedicated in his honor. Outside of the gym is a display case featuring items from his life.
The Shad Araby Award is given each year to a staff member of the Dedham Public Schools who shows a dedicated effort to support the students. The Dedham High School Booster's Club awards the Shad Araby Memorial Athletic Scholarship to a graduating senior each year.