Hanna "Johnny" Abdallah El Chammas

Beloved by so many for his unparalleled generosity, quick wit, and lion heart, Johnny was an entrepreneur and contractor who oversaw many successful construction projects in the DC area -- notably, the beautiful Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church, which he often joked was why he cheated death so many times.

Johnny was a true fighter. Whether traveling to Iran, Saudia Arabia or the US to start a new life and business, or constantly striving to provide opportunities for his two children, Johnny never took no for an answer. In the last chapter of his life, he battled catastrophic illnesses for many years with awe-inspiring bravery and strength. This made it hard for him to socialize in person and eventually return to his beloved Lebanon. Yet in true Johnny fashion, he became active on social media and reached out to friends far and wide to stay connected, keeping abreast of all the news, political or personal, within his Lebanese community.

In the end, Johnny passed peacefully, surrounded by Sherri, his loving wife of 46 years, and his children Lydia and Abboudi, who will continue to carry him in their hearts for the rest of their lives.