Adil Joseph Salem

Adil (Eddie) Joseph Salem - peacefully went home to be with Our Lord on January 4, 2011. Eddie was born August 9, 1936 in Ramallah, Palestine and moved to Jacksonville when he was 10 years old. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather (cedo), brother, uncle and cousin. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1954 and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1959 from the University of Florida. He was selected for the Chief Planning Fellowship for government sponsored graduate school and earned a master's degree in civil engineering from Stanford University in 1970. He had a distinguished 38 year career as an engineer with the US Army Corps of Engineers until his retirement. He served as Chief Engineer of the Planning Division for the US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District for 22 years. He was recognized as a pioneer in the development of the Planning Division of Corps of Engineers and instrumental in the District’s beach nourishment efforts as well as the District’s Civil Work program in Puerto Rico. He was a humble man and rarely discussed his many professional accomplishments that included numerous individual performance and excellence awards including the Young Engineer of the Year award in 1967 and 1968, US Army Corps of Engineers' Planning Excellence Award in 1984 and the Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 1991. He was also inducted into the Gallery of Distinguished Civilian Employees in 2000. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Society of American Military Engineers for much of his career. He was a charter and active member of the Ramallah American Club of Jacksonville. During his tenure as President, he was responsible for the planning and construction of the new clubhouse. Eddie was an avid Gator fan and loved football season. He is survived by a loving wife of 49 years - Elaine Hishmeh Salem and three daughters Diane Salem Bajalia (George), Sandra Salem Ossi (Larry) and Elizabeth Ann Salem. Eddie was very proud of his four grandchildren - George and Emily Bajalia, and Nicholas and Rachel Ossi. He is also survived by siblings Lila Salem Angelou, John Joseph Salem (Sandy) and James Joseph Salem (Jan); and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Badia Salem, and younger brother Fred Joseph Salem (Shadia).

The family will receive visitors from 6:00 – 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 6th, 2011 in San Jose Catholic Church, 3619 Toledo Rd with the rosary following at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, January 7, 2011 in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 11730 Old St. Augustine Rd with Fr. Daniel Cody as Celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Joseph's Catholic Church Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223. www.hgmandarin.com (904) 288-0025.