Eliahou "Eli' Dabora

STORRS - Eliahou (Eli) K. Dabora of Storrs, died peacefully on November 8, 2013 surrounded by his family. Eli was born in Baghdad, Iraq, finishing high school before immigrating to the United States to attend college. He graduated with his bachelors (1951) and masters (1952) degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1963. After teaching at Michigan for five years, he joined the faculty of the Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Connecticut in 1968, a faculty which was later integrated into the Mechanical Engineering Department. For many years he carried out pioneering combustion research in Mechanical Engineering, and taught courses in thermodynamics, propulsion and combustion until his retirement. In 1958 he married his wife Shirley who predeceased him in 2003. Together Eli and Shirley raised four children in Storrs, CT, and enjoyed many adventures including traveling internationally and for one sabbatical year, living in Germany and France, visiting national parks, and creating enduring memories with friends and family alike. His interests included reading, puzzles, politics, and the fine arts. Eli enjoyed swimming at Holiday Hill, eating lunch at the French table, and attending his children's and grandchildren's activities. Eli will be remembered for his kind demeanor, devotion to higher education, endless curiosity, sense of humor, and love of community and family. Eli is survived by his four children, their spouses and eight grandchildren: Becky Dabora and Joe Helble and their children, Jennifer, Michaela and Marcus of Norwich, VT; Sandy Dabora and David Simon and their children, Jessica and Benjamin of Brookline, MA; David and Robyn Dabora and their children, Rachel and Joshua of Kentfield, CA; Jonathan Dabora and Chelsey Remington and their son Samuel of Basel, Switzerland. He is also survived by his dear friend Catherine Page of Storrs, CT and her family. Funeral and burial will be private. A memorial service will be Saturday, december 28, 2013 at 2:00 PM at the UConn Alumni Center, 2384 Alumni Drive, Storrs. In lieu of flowers Eli and his family request that donations be made in his name to Windham Community Memorial Hospital, Willimantic, CT 06226. Arrangements were through the Potter Funeral Home, Willimantic. Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for online memorial guest book.