Joseph "Shad" Araby (May 13, 2024 – August 17, 2006) was an American veteran, custodian, and supporter of Dedham youth, particularly Dedham High School athletics.

Araby was born in Dedham, Massachusetts. ^[1] As a student at Dedham High School, Araby earned the nickname "Shad" from humming the Louis Armstrong song Shadrack. ^{[1] [2]} He was the water boy for the football team and served on the Boosters Club. ^[1] After graduating from Dedham High School in 1942, Araby joined the United States Navy and served in World War II. ^{[1] [2]} He had a son, Frank, two grandchildren, a brother, James, and two sisters, Edith and Frances. ^[1]

He was a member of the Italian American Citizens Club of Dedham. ^{[1] [2]} He enjoyed sports, reading, and jazz music. ^[1]

After being discharged from the Navy, Araby took a position as an equipment manager for the Boston Red Sox. ^{[1] [2]} He was later known for referring to all the children of Dedham as "good kid," a practice he picked up from Ted Williams. ^[2]

He then took a janitorial position at Dedham High School in 1959. ^{[1] [3] [4] [2]} He would remain at his alma mater for 31 years, retiring in 1990. ^[1] He then was elected as a trustee of the Dedham Public Library. ^{[3] [2]}

Araby was a passionate supporter of Dedham High School sports and did not miss a football or basketball game in many decades. ^{[3] [1]} While in the Navy, he went AWOL in order to watch the Dedham-Norwood rivalry football game. ^{[1] [2]} For a lifetime of support, he was a member of the first class of inductees to the Dedham High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999. ^{[5] [2]}

Araby supported anything to do with Dedham youth, including the St. Mary's LifeTeen program. ^[4] Araby was the first member of the Dedham High School Alumni Association's Shiretown Club. ^[6] A party for his 75th birthday was a fundraiser to build a skate park behind the Dedham Pool. ^{[7] [2]}

After retiring, Araby volunteered at the Dedham Middle School, handing out sticks of Juicy Fruit gum and helping students who were having a tough day. He had a special focus on students from broken homes, trying to set a good example for them. ^[1] When the Middle School hosted a "grandfather's coffee," where students interviewed their grandfathers and then invited them into the school for a special event, Araby would stand in for students' whose grandfathers were not able to attend. ^[8]

He died on August 17, 2006. ^{[4] [1]} His funeral was held at St. Mary's Church on August 19, and he is buried at Brookdale Cemetery, Veterans Hill. ^[1]

The access road to the Dedham High School gym is named "Shad and Wendy's Way" for Araby and Wendell Clement. A tree in front of the High School was dedicated in his honor, and then rededicated on May 13, 2024, on what would have been Araby's 100th birthday. ^[3] The Dedham Middle School gym, is dedicated in his honor. Outside of the gym is a display case featuring items from his life.

The Shad Araby Award is given each year to a staff member of the Dedham Public Schools who shows a dedicated effort to support the students. ^[9] The Dedham High School Booster's Club awards the Shad Araby Memorial Athletic Scholarship to a graduating senior each year. ^[10]