Fred Rabil Obituary Fred Rabil December 25, 1917 - March 20, 2015 Franklin- His name was Fred. No middle name, just Fred. Like his name, Fred Rabil was a simple man whose greatest pleasure was being around people. "Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man" are words from his favorite poem and words that he lived by. The house he lived in and where he greeted friends for 70 of his 97 years was his restaurant in downtown Franklin, VA known far and wide as Fred's. Born on Christmas Day, 1917, of parents who emigrated from Lebanon to the United States at the turn of the century, Fred was the eldest son of nine children. When he was 14 years old and during the height of the depression, Fred hit the road as a hobo traveling the rails across the United States looking for work. After WWII, he settled in Franklin, Virginia where his uncle owned a bakery and gave him a job. As a charter member of the Franklin Kiwanis, Fred had a passion for baseball and helped to sponsor many baseball teams for youth in the City of Franklin. As owner of Fred s restaurant, his generosity and caring spirit nourished not only bodies, but souls, with his support of a multitude of charitable activities. Fred was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church. During his lifetime, Fred proudly visited all 50 of these United States of America. He also enjoyed reciting all the states and capitals to anyone who would challenge him, especially his grandchildren. Fred was predeceased by his wife and mother of his three sons, Pauline Vaughan Rabil, and by a brother Joe and a sister Lucille. He will be greatly missed by his wife Joyce and three sons and daughters-in-law, Frank (Lynne), John (Beverly), and David (Patti/Patricia) all of Franklin, his grandchildren, John (Christy) Rabil, Marshall Rabil, Vaughan (Jim) Keeney, Susan (Matt) Longley, David Rabil (fianc Caitlin Friel), and Jessica Rabil, and two great granddaughters, Hunter and Hannah Longley. He is also survived by his brothers Mitchell, William, Ernie and Leo and sisters, Marguerite and Helen and their families. Fred died on the first day of spring March 20, 2015 surrounded by his family. A visitation will be held Monday, March 23, 2015 from 6 to 8PM at Wright Funeral Home. A graveside funeral will be held 2PM Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at Southampton Memorial Park with Fr. Charles Saglio officiating. There will be a reception at Fred s restaurant following the service. The family suggests in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Franklin Rescue Squad or the St. Jude Catholic Church Building Fund. www.wrightfuneralhome.org Fred Rabil Obituary (1917 - 2015) - Franklin, VA - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org/obituary/3012920 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pilotonline/name/fred-rabil-obituary?id22283151 3) https://www.pilotonline.com/obituaries/fred-rabil-franklin-va/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative Summary of the Obituary Fred Rabil, born 25 December 1917, passed away on 20 March 2015. A simple man, Fred was known for his generosity and community spirit. He owned Fred's restaurant in Franklin, VA, and was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church. ### Narrative Summary of Funeral Services A visitation for Fred Rabil was held on 23 March 2015 at Wright Funeral Home. A graveside funeral took place on 24 March 2015 at Southampton Memorial Park, officiated by Fr. Charles Saglio. ### The Edited Obituary Fred Rabil 25 December 1917 - 20 March 2015 Franklin - His name was Fred. No middle name, just Fred. Like his name, Fred Rabil was a simple man whose greatest pleasure was being around people. "Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man" are words from his favorite poem and words that he lived by. The house he lived in and where he greeted friends for 70 of his 97 years was his restaurant in downtown Franklin, VA known far and wide as Fred's. Born on Christmas Day, 1917, of parents who emigrated from Lebanon to the United States at the turn of the century, Fred was the eldest son of nine children. When he was 14 years old and during the height of the depression, Fred hit the road as a hobo traveling the rails across the United States looking for work. After WWII, he settled in Franklin, Virginia where his uncle owned a bakery and gave him a job. As a charter member of the Franklin Kiwanis, Fred had a passion for baseball and helped to sponsor many baseball teams for youth in the City of Franklin. As owner of Fred's restaurant, his generosity and caring spirit nourished not only bodies, but souls, with his support of a multitude of charitable activities. Fred was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church. During his lifetime, Fred proudly visited all 50 of these United States of America. He also enjoyed reciting all the states and capitals to anyone who would challenge him, especially his grandchildren. Fred was predeceased by his wife and mother of his three sons, Pauline Vaughan Rabil, and by a brother Joe and a sister Lucille. He will be greatly missed by his wife Joyce and three sons and daughters in law, Frank (Lynne), John (Beverly), and David (Patti/Patricia) all of Franklin, his grandchildren, John (Christy) Rabil, Marshall Rabil, Vaughan (Jim) Keeney, Susan (Matt) Longley, David Rabil (fiancé Caitlin Friel), and Jessica Rabil, and two great granddaughters, Hunter and Hannah Longley. He is also survived by his brothers Mitchell, William, Ernie and Leo and sisters, Marguerite and Helen and their families. Fred died on the first day of spring 20 March 2015 surrounded by his family. A visitation will be held Monday, 23 March 2015 from 6 to 8 PM at Wright Funeral Home. A graveside funeral will be held 2 PM Tuesday, 24 March 2015 at Southampton Memorial Park with Fr. Charles Saglio officiating. There will be a reception at Fred's restaurant following the service. The family suggests in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Franklin Rescue Squad or the St. Jude Catholic Church Building Fund. www.wrightfuneralhome.org ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Fred Rabil | |---------|-----------------------------| | Age | 97 | | Birth | 25 December 1917; Unknown | | Death | 20 March 2015; Franklin, VA | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |-------------------------|----------------------|--------------| | Fred Rabil | Decedent | Franklin, VA | | Joyce Rabil | Spouse | Franklin, VA | | Pauline Vaughan Rabil | Predeceased Spouse | -- | | Frank Rabil | Child | Franklin, VA | | Lynne Rabil | Child's Spouse | Franklin, VA | | John Rabil | Child | Franklin, VA | | Beverly Rabil | Child's Spouse | Franklin, VA | | David Rabil | Child | Franklin, VA | | Patti/Patricia Rabil | Child's Spouse | Franklin, VA | | John Rabil | Grandchild | Unknown | | Christy Rabil | Grandchild's Spouse | Unknown | | Marshall Rabil | Grandchild | Unknown | | Vaughan Keeney | Grandchild | Unknown | | Jim Keeney | Grandchild's Spouse | Unknown | | Susan Longley | Grandchild | Unknown | | Matt Longley | Grandchild's Spouse | Unknown | | David Rabil | Grandchild | Unknown | | Caitlin Friel | Grandchild's Fiancé | Unknown | | Jessica Rabil | Grandchild | Unknown | | Hunter Longley | Great Grandchild | Unknown | | Hannah Longley | Great Grandchild | Unknown | | Joe | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Lucille | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Mitchell | Sibling | Unknown | | William | Sibling | Unknown | | Ernie | Sibling | Unknown | | Leo | Sibling | Unknown | | Marguerite | Sibling | Unknown | | Helen | Sibling | Unknown | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Fred Rabil was born on Christmas Day, 1917, to parents who emigrated from Lebanon to the United States at the turn of the century. 2. He was the eldest son of nine children. 3. At age 14, during the height of the Depression, Fred traveled as a hobo across the United States looking for work. 4. After WWII, he settled in Franklin, Virginia, where his uncle owned a bakery and gave him a job. 5. Fred owned and operated a restaurant in downtown Franklin, VA, known as Fred's, for 70 years. 6. He was a charter member of the Franklin Kiwanis. 7. Fred had a passion for baseball and helped sponsor many youth baseball teams in Franklin. 8. He was known for his generosity and support of charitable activities. 9. Fred was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church. 10. During his lifetime, Fred visited all 50 states of the United States. 11. He enjoyed reciting all the states and capitals to anyone who would challenge him, especially his grandchildren. 12. Fred's favorite poem included the line, "Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man," which he lived by. ### Publication Details | Detail | Information | |----------|--------------| | Place | Franklin, VA | | Name | Unknown | | Date | Unknown |