Kambiz Karbassi

Kambiz Karbassi, 59, of Providence, passed away Saturday, August 12, 2017. His last days were spent in hospice surrounded by family, friends and colleagues. Born in Tehran, Iran, he was a son of Akhtar (Maheen) Karbassi of Tehran and the late Reza Karbassi. Mr. Karbassi came to Rhode Island, the state that would prove to be his home, in 1976. He was Valedictorian of his class at North Kingstown High School, and graduated first in his class with honors from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He then earned a Master’s of Science in Industrial Administration from Purdue University. Mr. Karbassi returned to Rhode Island to commence his career, and after a brief period with Rhode Island DOT, co-founded Commonwealth Engineers and Consultants in 1987. He would devote the rest of his professional career to Commonwealth, designing projects throughout the state, including the Sakonnet River Bridge, the Pawtucket River Bridge and the Newport Cliff Walk. By 2016 he was the sole proprietor of Commonwealth, the ownership of which he transferred to a team of his colleagues early in 2017. Mr. Karbassi was one of the first inductees into the URI Founders’ Club in 1997 and received the distinguished Freeman Award from the Providence Engineering Society in 2017. He served on the board of directors for the Public Archeology Lab, and the Free Wheelers Association. He volunteered his time once a week to visit patients at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, and every Thanksgiving delivered a truck load of Turkeys to Amos House in Providence. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Angier, his daughter, Sabine Karbassi Angier and son, Niku Karbassi Angier of Providence RI; his mother, Akhtar (Maheen) Karbassi of Tehran his sister Mitra Shavarini of Lexington, MA: and his brother, Keyhan Karbassi of Fresno, CA. Visiting hours are at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, Thursday, 5-7 pm. A graveside service will be held at 10 am Friday in New Fernwood Cemetery, Rt. 138, Kingston. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Amos House, 460 Pine St, Providence, RI 02907.