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Adele Just learned of your father's death today, I'm so sorry. I understand you were back from vacation when it happened, so you were able to be with your mother and sister. Al and I would have been at the wake to share our condolences in person had we been aware. joan

In a time such as this, after we lose a loved one, sorrow and sadness are the initial and instinctive emotions that are felt by our human hearts. And while these emotions are true and necessary, they can easily be overcome by the importance, integrity, impact and memories of the loved one who has just left us. There are many who will live a whole lifetime here on earth and not affect their fellow man and woman with value and positive impact. As I feel that sorrow that all of us are feeling, I’m also keenly aware that my Uncle Elias lived his time here on earth the right way and he affected all of our lives in a positive way, and left us all with fond memories. At this time, I’d like to now share with everyone my thoughts on my Uncle and just how much of an impact he had on me. Growing up my sister and I spent many hours and days in and around the home of our Auntie Nazig and Uncle Elias. I’ve always viewed them both as a second set of parents. As a young boy and adolescent I spent many hours with my Uncle hanging out in his cellar. It was here in this subterranean setting where I would admire my Uncle’s book collection. I would take notice of his passion and interest in his personal library and listen as he spoke about all the knowledge and information they contained. I would sit in his rocking chair and watch hockey games with him. I would take in the sweet smell of tobacco from his pipe as I watched him smoke from it. I would take instructions and obey rules set forth by him. And without knowing or being aware of it, these formative years and the time spent with my Uncle had a profound impact on me. The seeds were planted in my young mind, and I’ve grown into a man and now a father with a resemblance in shared characteristics with my Uncle Elias. My Uncle was a firm believer in discipline and rules, and I’ll always be grateful that he taught me those values. I took notice of the great care and discretion he had when it came to his health and diet. And years later when I really think about it, my Uncle was a pioneer who quite possibly could have been one of the first men in modern history to have a “ Man Cave.” One of these days I’ll have my own. Until then, I’ll draw inspiration from his cellar, and acknowledge to myself that my need to have a space of my own that provides peace and tranquility probably stems from all the time I spent there as a youth. When you stop to think about it, it’s amazing how influential human beings can become when they spend a lot of time with one another. We pick up traits, habits, words, mannerisms, speech and many other things that we eventually absorb unto ourselves. And so as we reflect upon one man’s life and our own individual and collective experiences we shared with him, I’ve reflected and expressed through words on how he helped shape and form me into the man and father I am today. That sadness that I spoke of earlier- It quickly dissipates for me when I shuffle through all the memories and quality time I spent with him. And I just tell myself- I’m lucky to have been his nephew, and even more fortunate that he treated me like a son. In loving memory of my Uncle Elias Ziadeh, 10/19/18 Greg Kantarjian

My heart aches for all the people who love him and enjoyed his company. We called him "Grandpa" because that is how he treated me, my husband, my kids, and my siblings. He wanted us to call him Grandpa. We have his vivid stories and the way he told them to remember him. He'd have a small crowd around, then he'd lean in, making the story more real, more intimate. You can see his smile and his laughing eyes in his great grand kids.