Gil popped up as a memory for me today, 4 years has sure gone by fast.  This pic is from May 3, 2009 at West Dennis Beach for the Blue Knights MA VI Blessing of the Bikes.   It was always great seeing Gil there....

We have such lovely memories of this kind, gentle soul. Mr. Barakat gave my daughter such confidence through music.  He will be thought of often for the rest of our lives. 

We were friends in Oshkosh, Ne in 1985. Gil was the music teacher there. Barb and I hung out alot with our children. I remember Theresa being born there and as a baby. They were very special friends to us, and always fondly remembered! Love and hugs to you all! Your dad was a great man he taught my Tony to play guitar. 

Thank you Gil for all those wonderful moments in the past 25 years. 
Your grace, love, friendship, and many conversations were truly a God given gift to me. 
My fondest and most fun memory was when you and Barb road your motorcycles to Arizona to visit. We went to Mexico with a dozen of my friends and family. Spent a week on the beach, playing music, and riding the banana boat. 
I’ll miss you my friend, my brother. 

Gillo was my good friend  since we were about 13 years old. Although he is physically gone he will always be with me and the Avery Avenue crowd. He is truly loved and will be sorely missed. God Bless him and keep him and his beautiful family in His embrace. You can see the love he had for his wife Barbara and his family in his eyes. Be well Barbara and family. Love you Gillo.  Until we all meet again...

I met Gil Barakat on the phone when calling my childhood pal Barb over the few decades. Gil's  was a generous and friendly voice.  Barbara spoke of her life with Gil, their children, their careers and their move to North Carolina with modest pride and secure happiness. Now, I'm thrilled reading of him in other people's notes. I hope Barb will soon get around well and be able to tell me of her memories and her future. May they all be blessed.

Faye Melton 
Los Angeles

A musician of sensitivity, beauty, and diverse acclaim; a steadfast husband, an eldest brother, a father of children who serve humanity and whose spirits are good and earnest, a grandfather to their loving children – a teacher.  What else could a man possibly want to be written about him and the way he lived his life?  He was so much to so many. I am proud that he’s my Uncle Gil.  His is a legacy in whose shadow I am honored to be cast and a guide whose compass always pointed true.  His elegant simplicity and devotion to authenticity were his humbling trademarks to which I aspire.  He said what he meant, he meant what he said, and no one ever had to ask if he meant them harm.  My uncle was a teacher of music, an outstanding teacher of music according to the tributes of his students. He taught me to play sax in the backyard and (as so many of his students have written) he used music to teach humanity, love for our fellow men, and plain decency.  Uncle Gil, as a man who knew you all my life, I have been blessed, enriched, and inspired by you.  Thank you.  May God bless and keep you until we sing together again.  Love Mike.

When I moved to Carver,  MA, I met Mr. Barakat when I was in 1st grade. At the time, I used to always look forward to seeing him in my classroom. He taught me songs that I never heard before and he put a smile on my face. The songs I remember from him are “Round and Round the Seasons Go”, “Turkey Trot” “Let’s Sing a Song of Joy and Praise”,  “Please Christopher Columbus” and Simon and Garfunkel’s “Boxer”. He even introduced me to a song “This Land is Your Land”. After learning his Turkey Trot song, I apparently taught the song for Thanksgiving at the home daycare I used to work at,  and the kids loved it! I also enjoyed him as a conductor of the Elementary School band in the Winter/Spring Concerts. I also remember he used to dress up at The Cat in the Hat for Dr. Seuss’ birthday every year! And how can I forget singing ‘It’s a Small World After All” and play “Mary Had a Little Lamb” with the xylophone with him. He was such a nice and gentle and humorous man and had such a way with children.  I will always remember and love him. RIP Mr. Barakat.  

I had the pleasure of knowing Gil and his brother in Flushing, Queens, Avery Avenue. What a beautiful down to earth human being he was and his whole outlook was making music. I am so proud to call him my friend and have held many beautiful memories, we shared on Avery Ave..We did not see each other for 50+years but we were blessed we finally united with him and meet his beautiful wife Barb in 2019. What an awesome time we had then. We stayed connected and again saw each other in our weekly ZOOM gathering and shared his smile, laugh and beautiful music during those sessions but unknowing God was leaving us with the beautiful memories of a beautiful human being, our friend..GILBERT RAOUF BARAKAT.. to last us till we meet again...Love you my friend and may the heavens fill with your music and reach us here on earth every second of everyday.. My hubby Roy is with you and I am sure you guys are playing guitar no stop..

Mr. Barakat was my first music teacher. I can still remember him teaching us songs in class with his guitar, and trying to get us all together during band as we played Whitney Houston's "One Moment in Time." My condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed.

Mr. Barakat was one of the most amazing teachers I ever learned from, and inspired me as a musician and student in immeasurable ways. He will be missed greatly by my family and myself, and my heart goes out to the Barakat family during this time.

I'm saddened by the loss.  Mr. Barakat was a great teacher and mentor.  He loved his students and they loved him. Rest peacefully in the Lord's embrace.

I am so sorry to hear of Gil's passing. I taught with him many years in Carver.  It was always a pleasure to watch him teaching his students. We all were very lucky to have known him.

Gil was never a music teacher to me, but the work horse in Barb's garden... always willing to build something, throw mulch or harvest crops. That garden is mourning the loss of those caring hands. The birds' song is sadder, and the butterflies are weeping...as am I.

There are no words to do justice to a life so well lived. The world is a better place because  you were in it Mr. Barakat. Thank you!
Rest in the Lord's arms...
Sending sympathy and love,
Dagmar, Dan, Ainsley and Carley Ryan... Carver MA

Nothing but happy memories of Gil from what seems like a lifetime ago.  SO many fond memories of riding and hanging out with him, back in the old Cape Cod HOG days.  I'm very sad of his passing; but very happy to have known him. Godspeed, Gil - Thoughts, prayers & condolences Barb, his family & friends.

I had the pleasure of working with Gil for many years.  He had such a wonderful way of connecting with students and creating a love of music within them. I loved seeing him interact and sing with the children.   He always kept them so engaged.  Gil was always so much fun to talk to .  He spoke with so much pride about his children and his wife Barbara.  Gil will forever be in our hearts.  Sending prayers to Barbara and his children.

Mr. Barakat was unlike anyone I had ever met. I first met him while I was working in the kitchen of Carver Primary School. It was Halloween and quite a few people (teachers and student alike) had dressed up. He quietly came up behind me, tapped me on the shoulder and when I turned around there was this nasty looking creature scaring me half to death. He was very impressed with himself for doing such a good job.  He had such a passion for teaching music and bringing out the best in everyone, even the student that did not play a musical instrument.  I was stricken when I heard the news that he had passed.   My heart goes out to his family, especially Mrs. Barakat who I know will be lost without him.  He was a wonderful,caring man that will be greatly missed by friends and family alike. Rest in peace my friend.

Gil and I shared an office for 10 years.  I saw the passion he had for teaching children everyday.  Recently I spoke with him he said the thing he missed the most since retirement “was seeing and teaching those beautiful Carver kids”.  He loved to tell stories about the funny things kids would say and do in class.  He was always  playing his guitar in the office.  I  loved being serenaded and would often request my favorites. He would always oblige with some Beatles or Crosby Stills, & Nash tune.  We talked a lot about everything and anything: life, raising children, teaching children, music, artists, sports, politics.  You name it, we talked about it.  It is with a heavy heart that I say good bye to my roomy.  Rest in peace Gil.  My deepest condolences to his beautiful family.  May God rest his hands upon you all and ease your  pain.  



Mr. Barakat was a wonderful music teacher to so many of us in Carver, MA. I have very fond memories of his class and how much fun he made it. He was a beautiful light and it will shine on in our memories. My condolences to his family. 

Élie (Gilbert's dad) was my mum’s first cousin. She and I were shocked and saddened by the awful news we were given a couple of days ago. Anything we could say would sound trite or meaningless: mum has some memories of him as a child but I never knew him at all save from the lovely accounts of Lydia (his mum Hilda's sister) and her son Alexis and his family.

It is your memories and that of his children that will be a lasting testament to who he was and what he meant to you. In this time of great sadness, please know that we will keep the whole family in our thoughts and prayers.

Annemarie Geahel and Marie-Thérèse Chalfoun-Geahel

A soul who has imprinted on so many over the years. My siblings and I were all lucky enough to have had Mr. Barakat as a music teacher in Carver. It was only within the last week that he came up in conversation...my older sis and I were discussing how we had liked his hair! I pray he be at peace knowing all the lives he touched and all that he experienced and accomplished here on this earth. May his journey continue

Mr. Barakat  was one of my favorite teachers I had at my time in Carver . He was an awesome man and loved every single one of his students . Mrs. Barakat I am so sorry for your loss.  I can't believe he's gone. But he will never be forgotten

What a shame to see such a bright light dim. Mr. Barakat taught myself, as well as my 4 brothers and sisters, music as a school special; he also taught my sister and i how to play flute and my brother how to play trumpet. With that he also taught discipline, dedication, and the importance of practice. His passion for sharing the joy of music is evident to my entire family and all who encountered him at Carver Schools. 

In addition, i had the joy of having Mrs. Barakat as my science teacher. The love she had for Mr. Barakat is something strong and beautiful. She spoke of him frequently and the adventures they had on their motorcycle. I can only imagine how tough this loss will be on her and for that I have her in my thoughts and wish her healing in these tough times.

My deepest condolences to all that knew and loved Mr. Barakat. Rest in peace. 

I am so grateful to have know Mr. Barakat and am so thankful he got to teach me music for so many years when I was younger. He was the best to be around and he will be missed very much. 

I remember sitting in his music class, one of my first, and he had us label the notes. In chalk, I wrote a “c” backwards and he fixed it for me. After then I knew how to write my name correctly. Fast forward to a few days before graduation I was playing frisbee with a few friends in front of the Middle/High School. He rode up on his badass motorcycle we all admired. He was on his way in, but he stopped, called us by name, and threw a few. That was the last time I saw him. Start to finish he knew who I was and brought out his kind spirit for us all to enjoy. Today is a heavy day.

Gil was an amazing person. The children of Carver Elementary will truly miss him. He was an amazing person and a great music teacher. We will miss him dearly.

I am so sorry to have heard of Gil’s passing. My thoughts are with his family. Gil was the ultimate Music Man. His passion was teaching the kids of Carver and teaching band. I had the pleasure of working with him as an Assistant Principal at the Primary School. He loved teaching songs for all the sing-a-longs Mrs. Weiler scheduled.  His smile would light up the room. He touched many lives.  Rest In Peace, Gil. To your family, I’m truly sorry for your loss. 

Mr. Barakat was an absolute blessing to the music students in Carver.  My daughter has so many happy memories because of him.  His family and friends are in my prayers.

Mr. Gil and I played at St.Ann Catholic Church on Sundays. Whenever there was a bilingual mass him and I would  play in the same mass and we will talk about our love of music and we even sang a song together at one of the festivals last year. As a musician you always have idols are you look up to , in the way that they play the music, the way they play with passion and they just enjoy what they do. He was just that,  he was the  embodiment of feel good music,  happiness and joy. You will be missed dearly and thank you for the moments. 

I will never forget Mr. Barakat. I started playing the alto saxophone in 4th grade and I wasn’t totally convinced I wanted to do it. This was a man that pushed and encouraged me (as much as you can to a 9 year old.). Mr Barakat motivated me to practice as often as I could and to improve each and every day. He was always full of energy, and dedicated to all of his students. Mr B, you will be missed my many and my love and support goes out all others that loved him. 




I could go on and write a novel about this man. I feel like I've lost a family member. Thank you Mr. Barakat for teaching me, my siblings, and all the kids at Carver schools the magic of music. Thank you for letting me play the xylophones when I was a toddler when we would pick my older brother up from band practice. To this day that is still one of my most cherished memories and the first time I fell in love with making music. You saw the creative light in everyone. I still think of you often and always will. Thank you for every thing. The world will never have another you. You were the greatest teacher with the kindest soul. Rest in peace, Gil


https://youtu.be/h32PEdGu7Fs

To Mr. Barakat,

The man who taught me how to play the flute at the age of 9, a hobby that I would continue with for 11 years. The man who taught me how to read music, a second language that would carry me into a love for math and languages. The man who had so much patience with each and every one of his students (and my, how much patience it took to teach 9 to 11 year-olds how to play instruments). The man who made me and every student feel like a rock star when they could finally nail hot crossed buns in synchronization with their whole section. To the man who shaped so many children’s love for music, band, and school in general (myself included), thank you. Thank you Mr. Barakat, you will truly truly be missed. The Carver, MA community lost when you retired years back and now the world will lose because you are gone. Rest In Peace.

To Mrs. Barakat,

The second Barakat I had the pleasure of encountering in my Carver Schools education. I am so so sorry for your loss. Your husband was a great man, loved by every student who came through the Carver band program. He genuinely and truly changed lives Mrs. B and for that, you should be proud. Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

My children were blessed to have Mr. Barakat as a music teacher. He was  the epitome of the definition teacher. He was a  kind, caring, compassionate human being, and my children learned more than just school lessons from him.  He taught the children to be individuals and remain true to themselves, and to treat others with kindness.  His enthusiasm for life was contagious, and Carver was extremely fortunate to have him as part of our community!  He will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

We were so saddened by the news of Gil’s passing. Our families spent many weekends together at soccer games. He will always be remembered as a kind and gentle man. 

So sorry for your family's great loss Barbara. I worked with Gil for 12 years. What an amazing person. He touched so many lives and was loved by all! Prayers to you all.

Gil, the heart and soul of music in Carver. The sheer number of children that came to me at the middle high school, whether they continued as music students or not, and told me that you were the one that made them love music was staggering. Not a single person will forget the way that you made them feel. I know that both you and Barbara made me feel like Carver was my home and I don’t have enough words of thanks to express how much that means. 
“In my life, I love you more.” 

Mr B... first you were my music teacher who inspired me, then you were my band director who helped me wrap my head around playing well with others.  Most importantly I considered you a friend within chaos.  

Gill, This little light of mine,I'm goin let it shine.. Gill's  certainly did!!           Everyone who was blessed to have known him carry a part of his light within us. Even though our hearts are breaking and it's hard to think past this moment, our souls are inexplicably linked.     My love to his family and everyone who knew him.   Barbara,I have no words that can express my pain for your loss,just know I'm here when your ready to see a friend. Love & peace be with you,,Robyn

Gil was one of a kind human being...he made us all better people just by knowing him. So sorry for the family's loss.

One of my dearest friends and neighbor for a long time. I spent many happy occasions with Gil. Very sad to think we will never have a chance to do it again in this world. See you again my friend in the world God has prepared for us. Love you and God bless.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Gilbert Raouf Barakat

3 août 1948 – 18 mai 2020

McLaurin Funeral Home & Pinecrest Memorial Park

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