Dr. Raymond F. Sabatelli Jr

On November 14, 2024, The Berkshires lost a beloved, long time community member.  Raymond Francis Sabatelli Jr., M.D. was born on December 20, 1941, in Schenectady, NY, the first son of Julia and Raymond Sabatelli. Raised in the tri-city area, Ray went on to attend Union College and State University of New York Upstate Medical University. Following an internship at Albany Medical Center, Ray came to practice in the Berkshires. After a brief time at Suburban Medical Center, Ray started a private practice from his home in Lee and made house calls from his Land Cruiser, which quickly became a signature of his care. During this time, he also worked evenings in the emergency room at Fairview Hospital—where he would dedicate the next 48 years of his life.

In 1976, Ray joined the Fairview medical staff becoming one of the first physicians in the region to dedicate his career to emergency medicine on a full-time basis. He soon became the director of the Fairview Emergency Room and the first physician in Berkshire County to earn certification from the American Board of Emergency Medicine, a qualification for which he was re-certified three additional times over his years in practice. During his tenure, Ray’s efforts to educate the emergency room medical and nursing staffs, as well as pre-hospital caregivers, and to hire additional qualified medical staff, raised the overall level of care provided and brought Fairview’s emergency care to a high level of excellence. In addition, over the course of his career, Ray also provided medical care to the young people at Kolburne and Eagleton Schools, the Crane Lake Summer Camp, and even dedicated his time at Fairview’s Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine until his full retirement in 2024.

Known affectionately as "Doc" around town, Ray was beloved for his warm and welcoming nature, his expert care, and his gentle, human touch in the emergency room. His calm confidence, especially in critical moments, provided much-needed reassurance to patients and their families. Outside of medicine, Ray had many passions, including music (especially the blues), fishing, photography, skiing, gambling, golf, and the occasional fine cigar. He was the last of the original members of his poker group which has been ongoing for nearly 50 years. He was also known for his distinctive vests and for being the first to wear clogs in the ER—yes, the old wooden ones!

A good and generous man, Ray is survived by his loving family: Shannon, Trey, Alix, Serena, Keith, Elayne, and his five grandchildren: Raymond, Ashley, Elli, Lucy, Maia, and many many friends.

A celebration of Ray's life will be held on December 14th, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Crissey Farm in Great Barrington. All are welcome to come share a story, a picture, a laugh, a tear, or a hug.  Donations can be made to Fairview Hospital in memory of Dr. Sabatelli c/o the Kelly Funeral Home   3 Main Street    Lee, MA  01238.