Obituary for Fred Ghanayem
On Thursday, July 27, 2023, Fred Ghanayem, age 98, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. Fred was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Maria. He was a devoted father to Joanne (Howard), Paul (Tiziana), Janice (Jim), Judy (Donald), Fred (Kim), Richie, and Janine (and the late Sal Merlino) and grandfather to Freddy, Jesse, Gia, Francesco, Natalia and Luca. Fred was born in Ramallah, Palestine and immigrated to the United States in his early 20s. He served in the US Army during the Korean War. An electrician by trade, he worked for General Electric for most of his career. He was also known as the neighborhood handyman and repaired almost every home in Girard Estates. Fred’s legacy is the adoration he received from his children and grandchildren to whom he instilled his integrity, work ethic and unwavering commitment to both his immediate and extended family. In his own words he said, “I came to this country a poor man and because of my family, will die a king.” Fred enjoyed being in his home, spending time with his grandchildren, sitting on his front porch, playing his lottery, and watching the Phillies. He is preceded in death by his wife, brothers Sami and Yousef, sisters Suad, and Asma Gazaleh. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, sister Dorothy, sister-in-law Mary, brother-in-law Dr. Pablo Resik (Sonia), our caring Mark Wilson, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to his VIEWING Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at The Monti Rago Funeral Home, 2531-35 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148. There will also be a Viewing Thursday August 3rd, 2023, 10am to 11am at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 8210 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA. Funeral Service 11am. Int. S.S. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA 19064.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fred’s memory to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 8210 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082 or The Veterans of Foreign Wars at heros.vfw.org.
Relatives and friends are invited to his VIEWING Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at The Monti Rago Funeral Home, 2531-35 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148. There will also be a Viewing Thursday August 3rd, 2023, 10am to 11am at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 8210 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA. Funeral Service 11am. Int. S.S. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA 19064.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fred’s memory to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 8210 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082 or The Veterans of Foreign Wars at heros.vfw.org.