Abbas G. Safai

Abbas G. Safai, 85, formerly of Ramsey, New Jersey, and more recently of Hoboken, New Jersey, passed away on December 27, 2025 and spent his final days and moments surrounded by those he loved. Abbas was married to Katherine Safai, was the beloved father of Leila (son-in-law Steven Dadic) of Allendale, New Jersey and Shaida (son-in-law Marco Patritti) of Hoboken, New Jersey and cherished grandfather of Luca Dadic and Gavin and Vivian Patritti. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Abbas was born on January 23, 1940, in Tehran, Iran.  His entrepreneurial spirit was apparent at a very early age when he decided to sell pencils and erasers to classmates at school, eventually recruiting others to work for him. Always extremely driven, Abbas moved to New York City in the 1960s and created a successful import/export business based on his specialized expertise of Oriental rugs. Originally based in Manhattan, Abbas later opened a store in Ramsey, New Jersey.  His daughters grew up helping with the family business, The Ruggery, where they witnessed Abbas’ charisma and salesman charm firsthand as well as his hard work and determination. 

Although Abbas was a successful businessman, his most important accomplishment was his family.  Abbas dedicated his life to providing the best for his daughters and never missed an opportunity to spend time with them. 

An involved member of the community, Abbas served on the Design Review Board of Ramsey as well as on the Board of Adjustment.  Abbas enjoyed closely following politics and was an active member of the Ramsey Republican Club and served as a Bergen County Committee Member. He also enjoyed real estate investing. 

Once Abbas “retired” he was still as active as ever, spending his time in Naples, Florida, forging many meaningful friendships while enjoying the sunshine and clear Gulf waters. 

In 2018, Abbas suffered a life-altering stroke.  The determination and resilience that made him a successful businessman were then directed toward his recovery. He worked tirelessly but still had his mischievous side, sometimes pretending to be fast asleep when he didn’t want to participate. Through it all, Abbas’ spirit continued to shine and he delighted in spending time with his family.

Abbas valiantly and courageously fought to remain with his family, never taking no for an answer, true to his spirit. His family will forever hold him in their hearts and are comforted that he is no longer in pain. Abbas will be missed tremendously by all who loved him. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026 from 3 PM - 7PM at Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home in Ramsey, NJ with a funeral service to follow on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 10 AM. Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, NJ. 

Donations may be made in Abbas’ memory to the Center for Food Action, Mahwah, New Jersey. https://www.cfanj.org

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