Salman Mitri Shatara

Salman Shatara, who was known affectionately in the University of Alabama at Birmingham community as “Fat Sam,” passed away on the night of May 18, 2016. Originally from San Francisco, Sam moved to Birmingham with his mother, Liala Shatara, in 1989. He opened a deli and named it Fat Sam’s Sub Station, where he cooked and his mother ran the cash register. As Palestinians do, Sam often fired his mother, only to have her come into work the next day. He met Annette Shunnarah that year and asked her to marry him just two months later. He proposed on his birthday because he said, “She can’t tell me no on my birthday." She didn’t, and the two celebrated 25 years on May 11. Sam and Annette raised two sons, and made sure that they were brought up to love the San Francisco 49ers, but not to watch the games- they could jinx it, of course. He loved KISS, playing the drums, and eating ice cream for dinner. His passwords were always 4291, because he said his birthday was April 29, and he was number one. On his first night in the hospital, Sam yelled at the doctor because he was supposed to be in a fishing tournament the next day. Through the next six weeks in the hospital, he was mentally preparing for the next fishing tournament. Wherever he is now, rest assured that he is fishing for bass. He leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Annette Shatara; his two sons, Mitri Shatara, 23, and Salman “Sammy” Shatara, 21; his mother, Liala Shatara, 84; three sisters, Wadia Hursay, Sally Saba, and Dina Shunnarah; and countless friends and relatives. He is preceded in death by his father, Mitri Shatara, and his brother, Raja Shatara. Visitation will be on Sunday from 5-7 p.m. at St. George Melkite Greek Catholic Church with a praying of the rosary to follow. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at St. George, with a burial to follow at Southern Heritage Funeral Home (475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham).