Joseph Aziz Salha

On February 03, 1928, a cute little baby with blond hair and green eyes was born to Aziz Salha and his wife Milia Thome in the biblical and historic city of Tyre Lebanon. He had an older sister Antoinette and a younger Brother Elias who proceeded him to heaven. He grew up in the City of Alexander the Great until his early young adult age and moved to Beirut to pursue his career of Real Estate. In Beirut, at the American University Hospital he met the love of his life Wadad Jardak, who happened to be the cute nurse on the ENT floor attending and taking care of him right after his tonsillectomy. A while later, they both got married and had three children of whom he was very proud. His first born Aziz, Lena and the youngest Fadi. Joseph Lived in Beirut where he built his home with his wife and three children until the civil war broke out in Lebanon and forced him to leave the country and emigrate to the USA with his young family. Joseph and his wife Wadad setteled in Houston Texas and made it their new found home away from their beloved homeland of Lebanon. While in Houston, he opened a liquor store, which became an icon and a favorite hang out for him and his lebanese friends. Let me tell you, because of that store, we, his children, while in college and graduate schools, we had very many immediate “ BEST FRIENDS”. He operated the liquor store until he retired. Dad was very active in the Lebanese community and had a great love for life and fun. As long as he could, He never missed any Lebanese gathering or Holiday Picnics, and for sure never missed a Dance at those events either. Dad and mom were always on the dance floor, now we know where his son Fadi and granddaughter Christine got that Gene. He made lots of friends in the community and up to now they all know of him and respect him despite his long stay away due to illness.

He was a great husband, dad, grand-dad and uncle. He was very proud of his children and their accomplishments and of every achievment his grand kids did. He always found a reason to talk about them all at any gathering and any time he had the chance. He is a very kind, loving, and thoughtful man who always no matter what, had a beautiful smile on his face.

I still remember as a young school child back in Lebanon, every morning dad and his friends and neighbors would gather around the big water fountain we had in the front yard backhome, they would drink their Turkish coffee, smoke their beloved cigarettes and solve the world problems just before they all went to work. I still remember one day, passing by them on my way to the school bus and thinking, “ wow, my dad is just like “ James Bond” he can solve a lot of problems and accomplish just about any thing he wants.” It is funny how later on even his grand kids thought the same of him. As the story of Life goes, this role has changed in recent years and took a 360 degree turn and We, His children became his “ James Bond”.

Dad we all hope and pray we did not disappoint you with that role and hope we played it well for you and mom. Dad, was a very proud man, very distinguished and very well liked by all who met him and got to know him. He always was this well dressed handsome man who would not leave his home without wearing the right jacket and tie and the matching handkerchief, socks and shoes. He really tried to teach that to us too, not sure if all of us got it right yet or not. Dad was a peaceful man, a great giver who enjoyed good company, laughter, and dance. The day before he left us was mom’s Birthday in Heaven, So Dad could hardly wait to go celebrate with her. He decided very early the next day, to go there and find her to wish her a Happy Birthday. We are so lucky now to have two angels who love us so much up in Heaven, looking down at us to help us from above. Dad, Please, one more thing, do not forget to give mom a big hug from each one of us and a kiss too.Don’t worry, you and mom taught us well, and we will be OK for now and hope to keep you proud as you know. We all love you both and forever miss you too.