Elias Abdullah Hadeed

Elias Abdullah Hadeed was born in Amar, Syria on August 15, 1933, to Nafie & Abdullah Hadeed. The oldest of 4 boys, he immigrated to the United States in 1954, living in Detroit, MI where he briefly attended the University of Michigan. He followed his future wife, Najla Hadeed to the west coast in 1955. They were married on October 22, 1955, in Seattle, Washington. They began their life together in Portland, Oregon. A very talented carpenter, Elias worked for several years for Contractor’s Incorporated. He and Najla raised their 3 children in southeast Portland, surrounded by many cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and good friends. He loved to take his family fishing, camping and on cross-country road trips. In 1971, Elias and Najla traveled with their children back to Amar, Syria for a 6 month long visit. He was thrilled to be able to share his history, his culture and his childhood with his own children.

Elias retired in 1978 and embarked on the second phase of his life…his grandchildren. “Giddo” loved to take them fishing, camping and taught them to help him in his beloved garden. He maintained a home in Amar, Syria and he and Najla enjoyed spending months in the village, with its slower pace and arid climate. He loved fishing with his brother and his many cousins, and in the spring and summer he spent many hours taking care of his beautiful vegetable garden. He and Najla enjoyed traveling to visit various relatives, and took great pride in keeping in close contact with those in the Syrian-Lebanese community. The patriarch of a large and close-knit family, he earned the admiration and respect of those around him by his generous heart, sense of humor and wealth of knowledge.

Elias suffered a heart attack while tending to his garden on May 15, 2010. Services will be held Tuesday, May 25, 1:00pm at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 11801 SE Mt. Scott Blvd, Portland, OR 97086. There will be a viewing Monday, May 24 6:00pm-8:00pm. He is survived by his wife, Najla Hadeed, sons David Hadeed of Las Vegas, NV, Richard Hadeed of Portland, OR, daughter Laila Williams of Vancouver, WA, 6 grandchildren, brothers Ibrahim Khal, Portland, OR and David El-Khal, Gresham, OR. He was preceded in death by his father, Abdullah Hadeed, mother Nafie Hadeed and brother Isaac El-Khal.

Please send donations to Doernbecher's Children Hospital in lieu of flowers.