Nabeel Manuel Babbie

Nabeel Babbie, a longtime resident of Oak Park, Michigan, passed away at his son's home on April 30, 2025, in Royal Oak, Michigan, surrounded by loved ones-both present and in spirit. Nabeel's gentle strength and selflessness led him to be adored by those close to him and strangers alike. Nabeel was the son of Firyal, who was the first from her family to immigrate to Detroit from Iraq, where she married Manuel. Shortly after, Nabeel was born on March 12, 1959. After the passing of his father, the majority of his childhood was spent in the Balfour Avenue home in Oak Park. Over the years, the home was shared with many newly arrived relatives from Iraq, and Nabeel later raised his own family there. Nabeel graduated from Shrine Catholic High School and earned a bachelor's in journalism from Wayne State University. Early in his career, he worked for Al-Alam Al-Jadid, a community Chaldean newspaper founded by his uncle. Throughout his life, Nabeel was incredibly hardworking and he held many roles-small business owner, real estate agent, and manager at a car dealership. He spent 17 years with Cintas, where he took pride in his work as a sales representative and the relationships he built. Nabeel met his wife Cheryl Ann through mutual friends, and after a short courtship, they were married in 1983 and had three children. He was a doting husband and devoted father. He coached and refereed countless games for his children's sports teams and had an immeasurable influence on their lives. In 2007, Nabeel and Cheryl moved to Florida, where they spent nearly two decades together and shared many adventures. They lived in their home in Deerfield Beach before returning to Michigan in the summer of 2024 after receiving Nabeel's cancer diagnosis. Nabeel found joy in finding solutions to problems in his own way-from the way he made home repairs to the way he valiantly battled cancer. A true conversationalist, he could talk about nearly everything. He had a sharp sense of humor, strong opinions, and love for debate. Nabeel loved to cook and share meals with his family. He was an avid baseball fan, with a special memory of attending the Detroit Tigers' 1968 World Series with his uncle. Later, as a father and grandfather, he would look forward to sharing his love of Detroit sports with his family. Throughout his illness, Nabeel faced each challenge with quiet strength and perseverance, and had a deep appreciation for the time he had with family. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Ann Babbie; his children, Sarah (Trevor) Francis, Matthew Babbie, and Kristin (Matthew) Kelterborn; and his grandchildren, Lincoln, Daphne, Charlie, Louis, and Penelope. He is also survived by his mother, Firyal, his sisters, Neda and Nahla, and many cherished uncles, aunts, and cousins. Visitation Monday 2-8 pm with memory sharing 6:30 pm at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W. 11 Mile Rd. (4 blks E. of Woodward), Royal Oak. Funeral Tuesday, in-state 10:30 am until time of Mass 11:00 am at National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak. Nabeel will be laid to rest at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the following organizations in honor of Nabeel's continuing fight against cancer: American Cancer Society - Esophageal Cancer, Cancer Research Institute, and Michigan Nurses Foundation; and to the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity.

Nabeel Manuel Babbie

March 12, 1959 - April 30, 2025