Gamil (Jimmy, Jimmy Boy, Uncle Jimmy) lived an amazing life full of adventure, love, achievement, travel and family. He was born in Cairo, Egypt on 11/15/36 to Costandi Debbas and Fahima Guirgus Saleh. The baby of the family, he was blessed to have both an older sister and a brother- Blanche and Samir. From his first day to his last, Gamil loved to laugh, was high-spirited, fun-loving, and very engaging. If you were with him -you were laughing. His energy was contagious.
He is survived by his beautiful and devoted wife, Amira along with nieces Samira, Gamila, Elena and nephew Pierre. Gamil was the world’s best uncle. Devoted, engaged, fun, supportive. He was very much a part of the lives. Uncle Jimmy was a 2nd father to his nieces and nephew. He embraced the role -and he was very good at it. If they needed advice, guidance or just a listening ear – he was the man for the job. He and Amira joined the extended family on numerous trips throughout Europe, the Middle East, and the USA. Having Uncle Jimmy along always increased the chaos and the fun factor -Hormigas!
The family focused on education to expand horizons and opportunities. While growing up in Cairo, he attended the English Mission School and then graduated with a degree in Pharmacy from Cairo University. Gamil then made a big move to the United States to pursue his education with a Master’s in Pharmacology from Columbia University followed by a PhD from Vanderbilt. Gamil had a love for pharmacology and considerable expertise that allowed him to have a very successful career first with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 1976-1986 followed by a focus on drug abuse at the National Institute of Health (NIH) from 1986-2007. His contributions in the field were significant over the years.
Gamil’s courtship of Amira was inspirational. In 1977, he traveled to Egypt on vacation and to visit family. He was introduced to Amira and within the two-week vacation, they fell in love and became engaged. Asked if two weeks was a long enough time to meet, fall in love, and become engaged – Gamil replied, “Have you seen Amira? It only took a day!” Gamil cut a dashing figure himself and often reminded you that he looked a lot like a young Anthony Hopkins, the big-screen movie star. Seven months later they were married (9/26/77) in Cairo and then moved to Maryland -outside of DC -where they began their life as a married couple. Gamil struck gold with Amira. She has been the most amazing wife, partner, and soul mate. Their love was always on display and their devotion to one another through thick and thin is a testament to what two people can build together.
They lived in Maryland until 2007 when they retired to Longboat Key, FL. Their lives in Maryland were focused on family, work, and travel. Together they were world travelers, venturing throughout Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Asia. Gamil was very cultured with a broad perspective informed by his upbringing and travels. He was always appreciative of the viewpoints and experiences of others. A very curious man, he asked a lot of questions and was a great listener -always interested in the culture and backgrounds of others.
Gamil was a devoted brother to his elder sibling Samir. He supported him in many ways and their visits together were always boisterous, fun, and loud. Additionally, he was a great brother-in-law to Samir’s wife Gertrude. He was one of the few people who could always get a laugh and smile from her as they teased one another. Uncle Jimmy created a language all his own with several catchphrases and expressions that he would interject (loudly) whenever the spirit moved him. 1-2-3 ZAWID! He and Amira put on a legendary dance display at his niece Gamila’s wedding -he was incredibly lively and energetic. Some folks in attendance are still shaking their heads and saying they had no idea Anthony Hopkins was such a great dancer. Gamil appreciated a bargain and loved buying in bulk. If you visited his basement in Maryland, you were transported to a Costco warehouse. If you needed a large jar of mayonnaise from 1994 or the 1987 December issue of Playboy, he had you covered. He loved his cars and driving. He once took a very literal interpretation to the phrase “Drive Thru Pharmacy” at a CVS (no injuries reported). He was a master on the grill and an incredibly gracious host who delighted in entertaining friends and family. Despite their obvious flaws, he was also an incredible uncle to the spouses of his nieces and nephew. He took an active interest in their lives and careers and loved to hear how things were going. His support was always both tremendous and greatly appreciated.
More than anything, Gamil was a man who valued family above all else. He was electric and fun, devoted and engaged, supportive and loving, cultured and hilarious. He was all of these things and more -truly one of the most unique individuals most people have met. He left an impression on everyone. He was also one of the most patriotic people one can imagine. He had so much appreciation for the American Dream and what it had meant to his family and he wanted that for everyone. He delivered an incredible eulogy for his brother Samir in which he talked about how much the USA meant to them both as immigrants. Let’s end this remembrance the same way he ended that one -with a passionate and loud – God Bless America!
Services will be held on Wednesday, April 24th at 10am at St. Simon the Tanner Coptic Orthodox Church in Sarasota, FL. Burial to follow at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Simon Church.
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