Sarkis Chalaby, who died Jan. 18, 2026, was born on Jan. 25, 1936, in Baghdad, Iraq, the son of Samuel and Judith Chalaby.  

Sarkis, also known as Sargon to his family, was raised in an Assyrian neighborhood of Baghdad attending parochial schools. He graduated from Baghdad College in 1954 where he excelled in academics including the debate team; he also excelled in soccer and baseball. After 1954, he worked for an oil company and then for the American Embassy in Baghdad where, among other tasks, he tested the English proficiency of Iraqi soldiers for approval to come to the U.S. for military training.  

After the revolution occurred in 1958, the family decided it was best for Sargon to move out of Baghdad due to his employment with the Americans. So in 1959 he moved to the U.S. settling in the Connecticut/New York area. He then enrolled in the University of Hartford’s electronics program and completed a course of study there. Upon graduation he worked at Stanley Works in New Britain testing tools in their lab.  

In 1962, he met his future wife, Minerva Townsend of Boothbay, Maine, his former international pen pal as a teenager. They married in 1963 and had their first son, Daniel Chalaby, in 1965 while living in New Britain and Plainville, Connecticut. In 1968 they had their second and final child, a son, Nathan Chalaby. 

In 1972, the family moved to Boothbay, Maine due to family health issues, and there he remained until 2016. He worked several jobs during his years in the Boothbay region, serving the residents of Squirrel Island for several years, and then working other jobs including Spruce Point Inn, the high school, the YMCA, and self-employment.

Sarkis and his family lived at his father-in-law's home on the Beath Road for a few years until their house was completed on the Matthews Road, where he remained until 1987. From there he bounced around buying a home in Augusta for a year and then selling and moving back to the Boothbay region, living in several apartments and eventually Campbell Creek Apartments where he made many friends. 

For many years he could be seen riding his moped “Fred” around the harbor, spending his time at the YMCA, visiting his friends, or fishing off one of his favorite spots in the area. He also attended Boothbay Baptist Church for many years. In 2016 , his health deteriorated and he became a resident of Coves Edge Long Term Nursing Unit in Damariscotta where he resided for the remainder of his life.  

Sarkis is survived by his son Daniel Chalaby of Scarborough, Maine; a sister Gladys of Chicago, Illinois; and a brother George of Modesto, California. 

Sarkis was predeceased by his mother and father; his son Nathan of South Portland, Maine; his wife Minerva of Vienna, Maine; a sister Beatrice of Modesto, California; a sister Alice of New Britain, Connecticut; a sister Agnes and a brother Edward, both of Sydney, NSW, AU; and two additional siblings who died prior to his birth.  

His family would like to thank the Coves Edge staff in Damariscotta for the incredible love, care, and patience they showed him over the years. A service will be planned at a later date. 

Arrangements are under the care of Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To share a memory or condolence with the family, visit www.hallfuneralhomes.com.