Ce n’est qu’un au revoir, Antonio!
Bambi does not have words to describe her dad to you, dear readers.
Some of you have met him in person in Lebanon. Others in Canada or maybe elsewhere. Whether in Beirut, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Sackville, or elsewhere, Antoine (or Tony) has touched your/our lives in so many ways that can be summarized in the most beautiful word in the world: LOVE.
Antoine was filled with love. He was love. Our hearts ache and we will forever remember him with love. He loved life. He loved his late wife so much. Same for his children, grandchildren and great grandson. He loved his beloved nurses (Khoder and Samer). He loved his larger family, friends, clients, neighbours, parishioners, his two countries Lebanon as well as Canada, life, peace, and God. He inspired so many of us throughout his life journey.
Love, humanity, generosity, compassion, courage, honesty, resilience, intelligence, agency, entrepreneurial agency, critical thinking, open-mindedness, modesty, humour, and so MUCH more! These are some of the greatest values and skills of Antoine Azar. A beautiful soul. A loving soul. You might think that Bambi is a bit biased as he is her hero of a dad. Wait to hear Louis’ words about his father-in-law. He has always said the following to describe him: “Antoine is what makes our civilization continue“. Her cousins all say that he is a source of inspiration to them, a hero with all what he went through in life with dignity, courage, and a pure heart (like a child). Even if he is unique and surely only human (ie., imperfect like all of us), we need more of Antoine in all of us in our troubled world.
Love does not die, even if we are all going to do so. As written in your obituary, papy/baba habibi: “El Massih Kam, Hakan Kam” [Christ is risen, truly risen]. DEEP sorrow mixed with inner peace , hope (Espérance in French), and happiness for you to be with mom and to watch all of us from heaven while hanging out with your beloved Jesus. How meaningful it is to die on Palm Sunday, just ahead of Easter. Talking about Easter, may the Lebanon you now left for good see its graduation from wars and its own resurrection soon. May love prevail in all the hearts. Only then, peace can find its way among people and nations.
To come back to grief, it is hard to find words to express all the mixed emotions in Bambi’s mind. If peace is the strongest of all, despite her deep sadness, it is because of her dad’s big heart. During her last trip in Beirut a few months ago, he told her: “When I die, do not be sad your sisters and you and keep on loving each other“. Is there anything more beautiful than these words?
To conclude, if you wish to read more about Antoine Azar, you can consult an older post (shared at the end of this post). Bambi will end now by extending her heartfelt condolences to all her family in Lebanon, Dubai, Qatar, Australia, Germany, Brazil, and Canada. Did she forget any other place? Please forgive her, if so. She sends hugs to each of her larger family members and family friends and relatives around the world. Last but not least, the biggest hug of both condolences and DEEP gratitude goes to Khoder and Samer. Blessings to you and much love. She wishes she could be with you Roula, Rania (sisters), Gladson and Rabih (brother-in-laws), Samer, Khoder, and all of you tomorrow, dear family and friends. Trust that she will be present in her heart while joining her prayers to yours. Be safe everyone, please. Take good care, today more than ever.
May your memory be eternal, papy habibi… Say hi to mom, please. THANK you for ALL!
Thank you Roula for having shared it a few months ago.
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I was behind on the last few blog posts, so I just read this today. I’m so sorry for you and the rest of your family! I will pray for you and Roula and Antoine’s other loved ones.
Ohh thank you DEAREST Spencer for your prayers and for our PRECIOUS friendship. Roula et al. will be touched. Bambi loves you and loves your family too.
Love does not die’. This says everything. What a beautiful life filled with love, faith, and kindness. May God rest his soul in peace and surround your family with comfort and strength 🙏🤍.
Ohh–Thanks Diana for your beautiful words and wishes. Bambi keeps praying for your late beloved cousin and for his/your family as well as friends. Hang one all of you and be safe.
Thank you very much 🙏❤️
My deepest condolences, chère Bambi. What a beautifully written eulogy. I think you have inherited your father’s caring heart. May your heart be light, knowing that he is at peace now.
Ela
Bambi just saw your thoughtful comment, dear Ela. Wow. Thank you for your humanity. Thank you for your kindness and beautiful words. Merci du fond du coeur. Vielen Dank!
My dearest sweetest Bambi, I am soooo saddened to hear about 3ammo Tony’s passing… 😢💔
You described him perfectly…. i couldn’t agree more…. (Beautifully written )
In summary.., he was LOVE…
Anyone who had the privilege of knowing him…. Would agree…
My heart is aching… we have lost another beautiful soul…
I hope he knows how much we love him…
I hope that he is resting now , reunited with Tante Robine .… watching over you, Roula, Rania and your families…
I will forever cherish my fond memories of 3ammo Tony… (We often use the word 3ammo, but we rarely use in the sense of a real uncle…. I have always considered him as my uncle…. And you… my extended family)
My deepest condolences habibi…may his beautiful soul rest in eternal peace…🙏🏻.he Will never be forgotten ❤️❤️❤️
Sending you big hugs…
Love you so much
Ralda
Bambi is deeply touched by your beautiful words, dearest Ralda. She sends her heart to you, along with a big hug across the miles. Bambi loves you soo much too 💚. Like her dad did. Take good care, please. Love to your mom too!
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🥰😍💔much love to you and your family !!! Habiby [Bamboum]!!! He will rest in peace 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Ohhhh thank Nayoul. Love you, dear childhood friend 💚! Bambi sends you her heart too. Condolences to you and Rony. May Antoine’s soul rest in peace and may his memory be eternal.
So sorry for your loss [Bambi],i love what you wrote it’s so true, may his memory be eternal
Love
Valerie
Bambi loves you Valérie a lot… She sends her heart to you. We share the same sorrow.
Just visiting the Afkar now to learn this sad news. I send my sincere condolences to Bambi , her sisters and the entire extended family and friends. Bambi was saying only recently how on her last visit, the world was in turmoil all around him but Antoine kept going like a miracle. Glad I did meet both your parents.
Oh Fred, indeed, and they both loved meeting you and loved you. Bambi thanks you so much for your beautiful words. May Antoine’s memory be eternal. Indeed, he had been the little miracle in the middle of the chaos.
So sorry for your loss, Bambi. Deepest sympathies and condolences to you and your family. We’re here if you need us.
Oh, thank you Jeff so much. Bambi is so grateful to you et al.!
Quelle triste nouvelle. Toutes mes condoléances à toi, Roula, Rania et aux autres membres de ta famille. Ton père était un magnifique être humain. Je me souviens de lui comme un homme accueillant et chaleureux. Je pense à toi.
Ohh, merci Jacinthe du fond du coeur. Tu l’as bien décrit. Bambi t’aime fort, chère amie. Roula, Rania et al. vont apprécier tes mots de solidarité et d’amitié.
Dear Bambi, I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine how hard today must be for you. I did not meet your dad, but I knew him from the stories you told and from your characteristics—your kindness, strength, and the way you care about others say so much about him.
I understand your feelings, as I lost my father 15 years ago. I know how deep this kind of loss can be, and my heart is truly with you.
Please know I’m here for you, whether you want to talk. You’re in my thoughts.
May he rest in peace.
Big hug
Dearest Najmeh. Bambi does not know what to write. She is deeply sorry that you lost your dad 15 years ago. May his memory be eternal. She thanks you for your compassion and is grateful for your supportive words. If she has a bit of her dad in her values and conduct with others, as you have written, trust that she is honoured and humbled. Merci/Thank you. May he rest in peace. May you keep on taking good care at all times, and especially during uncertain war times. A big hug back with much love.
Dear Bambi, sorry for your loss. I got to know him through your blog and correspondence. The light of this world shines a little less bright today… but much brighter in heaven with him.
Ohh, your words are very beautiful. Thank you, dear Mark!
Raymond and I send our deepest condolences to you ,Louis,and all of your Family!!We will always cherish your Mom and Dad as long as we live! We had a beautiful visit and dinner in our home and really enjoyed all the conversation that night! Wish we could have visited them when you hosted them in Sackville–but Raymond was still working and we could not extend our Holiday!! They were loved by our Family and we shall always remember them as being part of our extended Family!! Sally and Raymond Raphael
Condolences to you too and all of us, dear Sally and Ray ❤️. Both Bambi’s dad and mom cherished the beautiful memories at your place in Toronto. Bambi et al. thank you and send you love across the miles.
YES ….. WE ARE SADDENED THAT PAPPA HAS DEPARTED …… THE SADNESS IS
FOR THOSE LEFT BEHIND ….. MY KNOWLEDGE IS OF A MAN WHO NEEDS NO SYMPATHY ,
BECAUSE HE SURPASSED ALL THAT WAS ASKED OF HIM IN THE LIVING OF HIS LIFE …..
A CHAMPION TO FRIENDS , FAMILY , AND THOSE HE MET BRIEFLY .
JUST DAYS AGO WHEN SIREN WAILED AND BOMBS FELL , I LEARNED THAT HIS
CONCERN WAS NOT PERSONAL , BUT FOR HIS ATTENDANT NURSE….. HE WAS BED BOUND,
BUT URGED HER TO GO UNDER HIS BED TO SEEK A LEVEL OF REFUGE . THAT SPEAKS TO
THE CHARACTER OF THE MAN , AND HIS COMPASSION FOR HIS FELLOWS .
JOYFUL JOURNEY PAPPA …. REST WELL AND IN PEACE …. WELL DONE , YOUR FRIEND
Russ
Thank you dearest Russ who had always asked Bambi about her “pappa”, as you say so sweetly. She is grateful today more than ever. She loves you a lot and is blessed to have you in her life across the miles.
My deepest condolences my dear sister-friend. I will always remember your father and mother standing outside our appartment waiting for you to say good bye to my mom. During all these years (+30 years) despite the distance, I have felt as close to them through your stories and visits back home. He is finally at peace and reunited with the love of his life, your beautiful mom. May you find comfort in knowing how deeply he loved you, supported you, and he was your biggest fan. May his memory continue to carry you forward in life and remind you that the fire of compassion that burned in him continues in you, [Bambi].
Condolences to you too, Mirella ❤️, Bambi’s sister/friend… Bless your adorable mom and YES to those wonderful memories in Montreal.
البقاء لله. الله يرحمه ويغفر له ويجعل مثواه الجنه ويلطف بكم ويصبركم ويجعل ذكراه خالده في قلوبنا
Condolences to you too. Danke liebe Fatma ❤️; شكرا
My deepest condolences, I feel grateful to have known Antoine. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Condolences to you too, dear Nicole et al. ❤️. With a big hug across the miles.