Hugh Shibli Ziada

Husni (Hugh) S. Ziada was born on January 1, 1933, to Hana and Shibli Ziadeh in El-Salt, Jordan. He was one of five children, two boys and three girls, and grew up in Ramallah, Palestine. Hugh scored well enough in the London University matriculation (college entrance) exams to be admitted but wasn’t able to attend due to financial hardship. Instead, he obtained a position working for the Jordanian tax ministry’s office in Jerusalem with the help of an aunt.

During this time, one of his cousins met a retired American doctor who loved traveling. That doctor asked the cousin if he knew someone who could show him around Jerusalem, and he recommended Hugh as a guide. While Hugh loved working in Jerusalem, his government job didn’t pay very well, so he took the opportunity when the doctor offered to sponsor him in the U.S. in the early 50s. Hugh initially lived and worked in Seattle, where the doctor was based, but eventually moved to Detroit because he had friends and relatives there. Hugh became a U.S. citizen in 1959.

In 1961, Hugh traveled home to Jordan where he married Yasmin. They returned to Detroit and soon after their first daughter, Rema, was born.

Hugh worked many jobs in Detroit, including some time with the Ford Motor Company, but he wanted to be his own boss. This led him to open his own grocery and liquor store, the Riverside Market, which he operated with the help of a cousin.

Hugh and Yasmin had another daughter, Mona, and a son, Nader.

Hugh decided to sell the business and move back to Jordan after a holdup at the store. He spent about a year trying to run various businesses there but found success difficult due to a weak economy. Hugh finally moved the family back to the U.S., settling in Southern California where the warmer climate bore more similarity to that of the Middle East.

He loved the large backyard in the Garden Grove home he purchased, and he and Yasmin spent many hours planting and caring for fruit trees and vegetables. Their labor yielded bountiful harvests that they generously shared with neighbors, family, and friends. Much of what they grew were beloved foods from the old country: grape vines, apricots, zucchini, figs, and pomegranates.

At this time, Hugh decided to take on a new business endeavor in the restaurant industry. With the help and partnership of a friend, he operated the Olympic Flame restaurant in Garden Grove. In the late 1970s, Hugh bought his own business, Fabian’s Coffee Shop, on Main Street in Santa Ana. It was a popular breakfast spot, especially on Sundays, and a busy lunch spot for locals and city employees. It was most famous for affordable, quality food, like the steak and eggs breakfast, homemade salsa, and carrot and lemon cake. Hugh had a strong work ethic and took pride in having a spotless kitchen, friendly servers, and loyal customers. During Hugh’s time owning Fabian’s, he became the proud grandfather of Rebecca, the daughter of his eldest child, Rema, and her husband Rod. Finally, after a 20-year run, Hugh sold the business, and the building. Not quite ready for retirement, Hugh went to work for the Orange County Sheriff's Department as a supervisor in the kitchen of the county jail.

After two years, he retired and became active as a volunteer in the local AARP chapter, where he earned a certificate to help prepare tax returns for low-income residents and seniors. At the 50 Plus Club in Garden Grove, he served as treasurer, newsletter editor, membership coordinator, and prepared beef stew for the annual fundraiser during several years as a member. He was recognized by the City of Garden Grove for his dedication as a volunteer.

Outside of his volunteering, Hugh stayed active at home. He became an avid reader, particularly of John Grisham novels, loved solving crossword puzzles, and spent considerable time playing spider solitaire on his computer. He loved his family and cherished time with them around a table full of good food, with a cold beer. His love of food extended to cooking: Hugh delighted in grilling, making homemade falafel, and trying to perfect his apricot pie recipe. He warmly welcomed relatives, friends, and acquaintances alike, taking great pleasure in sharing both his stories, and a good meal.

Hugh is survived by family and friends who love and miss him dearly, cherishing their memories of him and holding him in their hearts.

A Memorial Service for Hugh will be held on January 18th, 2025 at Westminster Memorial Park Mortuary 14801 Beach Blvd. Westminster, CA 92683 at 12:00pm in the Main Chapel. A reception will immediately follow.