Ibrahim (Abe) Nahas was born on March 10, 1950, to his loving parents, Halim and Ajoni. From a young age, Abe experienced health issues, which prevented him from attending school at a normal age. Despite this, Abe was very gifted with numbers. He used to entertain the doctors and nurses at the hospital by doing complex calculations in his head. Abe finished his high school matriculation in Joub Jannine, Lebanon. He then made his way to Canada in 1970, as he was accepted into McGill University in Montreal. He later moved to Calgary in 1971 to be with his best friends.
Along with his brother Raymond, and sister Shafica, he paved the way for his other siblings and their families to make Calgary home. Abe completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering and with his entrepreneurial spirit, ventured into business. He started a steel fabrication company in 1985, and worked on home building, as well as a variety of other businesses.
Although he didn’t have a family of his own, he was the main pillar for the entire Nahas family in Calgary. He was also known as the “favourite uncle” of all of his friends’ families. Abe enjoyed playing backgammon, poker, and other card games.
Abe was an idealistic person; he had a heart of gold and was always willing to share everything he had with the people he loved. Despite Abe’s health issues, he always managed to keep a great sense of humour. He was known for his endless dad jokes and sarcasm, as well as his pockets full of treats for his doctors, nurses, nieces, and nephews.
Abe passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 28th, 2022. Rest in peace brother, son, and friend.
Abe is survived by his mother Ajoni, as well as his siblings and their families, Maurice, Raymond, Therese, Nazira, and Gabi.
He is predeceased by his father Halim, his brother Edmond, his sister Raymonda, his brother Nazir, and his sister Shafica.
The family would like to especially thank the dedication of the nurses and doctors in the Kidney Ward (Unit 27) at the Foothills Hospital for the tremendous care and support over the years. We would also like to acknowledge the staff (Unit 37) who cared for him during his last two weeks.
If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to St. Basil's Melkite Greek Catholic Church at 4903 - 45 St SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 3W5, or at [email protected]. Donations may also be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada at https://kidney.ca/, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada at https://www.heartandstroke.ca/, or to the Foothills Medical Centre via the Calgary Health Foundation at https://www.calgaryhealthfoundation.ca.
A Prayer Service will be held at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 3220 - 4 Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Tuesday, August 2nd at 7:00 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Peace Parish, the Calgary Maronite Church, at 504 - 30 Ave NW, Calgary, Alberta on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. with interment to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery, located at 3219 - 4 St. NW, Calgary, Alberta.
