It is with a heavy heart that we report that Massachusetts Bar Association Past President Camille F. Sarrouf Sr. passed away this week after battling cancer.
Sarrouf was a prominent civil litigator in Boston for more than 56 years and also served as an adjunct professor at New England School of Law for 19 years, teaching trial preparation and techniques. In addition to his work with the MBA, Sarrouf was president of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys; a trustee, fellow and regent of the American College of Trial Lawyers; and a member of the Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct and the Massachusetts Judicial Nominating Commission. He also served on the Review Committee for the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Past President Camille F. Sarrouf,” said MBA Chief Legal Counsel and Chief Operating Officer Martin W. Healy. “He will be remembered as the exemplar of how an attorney ought to practice law. Camille had a heightened sense of ethics along with an unparalleled intellect. He mentored many of today’s most prominent lawyers and judges, who came to Camille throughout the years for his wise counsel. Camille’s devotion to the Massachusetts bar was matched only by his humanitarian commitment to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, where he leaves behind an equally proud legacy. We extend our greatest condolences to his family during this difficult time.”
In addition to his service to the legal community, Sarrouf served for 31 years – 14 as chair or vice chair -- on the boards of directors and governors of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and its fundraising organization, the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, in Memphis, Tenn. Sarrouf was most recently chair of the board of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, where he was honored with the school’s Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters. He served on the board of the Kahill Gibran Foundation, and for 52 years as the pro bono general counsel of the Diocese of Newton for the Melkite Catholics of the United States, Inc. He was a 2001 recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, a recipient of the Papal Insigne-Gold Medal from Pope Paul VI and the Cross of Jerusalem from Patriarch Maximos V. Hakim.
In addition to his wife of 57 years, Sarrouf is survived by three sons: Camille F. Sarrouf Jr. and his wife, Sherri, of North Andover, Thomas K. Sarrouf and his wife, Daneil, of Worcester, and John R. Sarrouf and his wife, Dawn, of Gloucester; a daughter, Leza M. Sarrouf and her husband, Marc Guillemette, of Watertown; and six grandchildren: Stephen, Elizabeth, Thomas Jr., Sarah, Elijah and Esme.
Arrangements are being handled by Kfoury Keefe Funeral Home. Visiting hours will take place from 3 to 8 pm. on Monday, Sept. 10, at Our Lady of the Annunciation Melkite Catholic Cathedral, 7 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury. The funeral service will take place at the cathedral on Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m. Burial will be private.
The Sarrouf family respectfully requests that no flowers be sent. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.