Salem A. Salem

Salem Abraham Salem, beloved brother and uncle passed peacefully May 27, 2018, surrounded by his entire family. He was born in Ramallah, Palestine February 13, 1933 and moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1948. After graduating from Robert E. Lee High School, Salem began college at the University of Florida. His education was interrupted when he served in the United States Army in the Korean War. After his honorable discharge he returned to the University of Florida and received his Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree in 1958. He worked for the Florida Department of Transportation for 30 years until 1987, rising to the position of District Director of Planning and Programming. Subsequently he was appointed to the position of Director of Public Works for the City of Jacksonville, where he remained until the end of 1991. Not ready to retire, Salem began consulting on various engineering projects which continued uninterrupted until 2016. Recently, the City Council of Jacksonville unanimously issued a proclamation expressing their appreciation for Salem’s lifetime of public service commitment to the welfare of the city. He was a supportive and charitable member of the Ramallah Club of Jacksonville and St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church. As the only surviving son of Abraham Salem, he was the patriarch of the family, a position he embraced. His knowledge and judgment were often sought out by the extended family. Always celebrating holidays together was of paramount importance to him. Beyond the family, his two favorite passions were playing tennis at the Ponte Vedra Club with his beach buddies and driving his dune buggy all over town. He was well known, liked and respected in both the business community and political circles. Upon meeting him, he would grip your hand during a hand shake like he never wanted to let you go, a trait he passed on to his nephews and great nephews. Once he met you, he would never forget your name.

He was preceded in death by his parents Abraham and Wardeh Salem; four brothers, Essa, Bader, Kamel and Zack Salem; two sisters in laws, Najla and Margaret Salem; two brothers in laws, Ziadeh Bateh and Farhat Ziadeh. He is survived by his loving partner in life of over 20 years Kathy Hatcher, his sisters Leila Bateh and Suad Ziadeh, his sister in law Nabila Salem and many nephews and nieces.

The Trisagion Service will be held Wednesday May 30th at 7pm at the St. George Orthodox Church located at 6300 Bowden Rd. The family will receive visitors at 6pm. The funeral, also at St. George Orthodox Church, will be at 11am Thursday, May 31st with interment to follow at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery on Normandy Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. George Orthodox Church or Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.