“I did it my way” Frank Sinatra might have sung those words, but John Rahed lived them. For all of his 64 years on this earth John did it his way. He set his own schedule, set his own pace and in doing so lived an awesome life full of fun and laughter.
John M. Rahed, 64, of Woonsocket died peacefully Friday September 1, 2023 at Oakland Grove Health Care Center surrounded by the love of his family. John bravely battled brain cancer for the past several years. Even though it may have taken its toll on him physically, the cancer could never take away John’s wonderful spirit of love for those around him. In the end it was John Rahed’s indomitable spirit won, not the cancer. John would want you to remember that.
Born in Providence he was a son of the late Albert and Anna (Kell) Rahed. He was raised in Cranston and over the years lived in Rhode Island, New Mexico, Framingham and then Woonsocket.
The open road was John’s office. He was employed as a professional truck driver for several companies and owned his own truck.
John was an avid motorcycle enthusiast. The open road he worked on became his roadway to fun and adventure. John loved nature and the outdoors and enjoyed camping, spending time by the duck pond and waterfall in Woonsocket, and relaxing at the beach and taking a dip in the ocean.
John was mechanically inclined and liked working on cars. He was a fan of horse racing and trying his luck at casinos and games of chance.
Music ran through Johns veins. The music of Lynrd Sknynrd, Black Sabbath, The Allman Brothers, Waylon Jennings and other rock and country bands were the rhythm and beat of John’s life.
John will be remembered as a friendly and kind person. John lived life on his own terms and marched to the beat of his own drum. He did what he wanted, how he wanted, when he wanted, where he wanted. He had an easy-going, low-stress, live-and-let live approach to life. It served him well.
John is survived by his two sons Timothy and Zachary Rahed of Burlington, MA and his siblings Abraham Rahed and his wife Carol of Florida, Albert Rahed of Bellingham, Joseph Rahed of Woonsocket and Debra Lussier of Millville. He was the brother of the late Mary Ann Bennett who passed away in November 2022. He is also survived by his grandson Connor and his extended family of aunts and uncles and many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
Relatives and friends are invited to honor and remember John at visiting hours on Friday September 8th 2023 from 4:00-8:00 pm at Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, and in recognition of John’s courageous struggle with cancer, memorial donations may be made to the Rhode Island Brain and Spine Tumor Foundation P.O. Box 9201 Warwick, RI. 02889 or www.ribstf.org. John would want to help others battling this disease.
No doubt John would say loud and clear for to everybody to hear…… “Let’s Kick Cancer’s Ass”!!!!!!!!
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