Edward Nabhan

Edward N. Nabhan of Atlantis, Florida and Worcester, MA passed away Tuesday, January 3rd 2012 in his home surrounded by his cherished family. Mr. Nabhan was born on September 19, 1920 in Worcester to Nimr and Rose (Assad) Nabhan. He was the second of four children. Edward is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Adelle (Peters) Nabhan: his three children, Cynthia Nabhan Crawford, and her husband Ian Crawford of South Natick, Sandy Nabhan Avellone, and her husband Dr. Joseph Avellone of Wellesley, Edward G. Nabhan and his wife Sandra Beth Nabhan of Wellesley. Mr. Nabhan, was blessed with seven adoring grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother Robert Nabhan and his wife Ann Marie of Worcester, as well as many, nieces, nephews and extended family. He was predeceased by his brother George Nabhan, and his sister Eleanor Rawan of Atlantis and Worcester. Mr. Nabhan, better known as "Eddie", began his career after serving his country for four years, in the US Army during World War II. He then founded and served as President of N. Nabhan and Sons, Inc., a beauty and barber supply company in Worcester and Springfield, MA. In addition to a very successful business career, his achievements included, but were not limited to, his committed involvement to the Worcester community. Mr. Nabhan was actively involved with St. George Orthodox Church, serving many years on the Board of Directors during its years located on Wall Street in Worcester. When a new church needed to be built, Mr. Nabhan became Chairman of the Building Commission. He led and oversaw the project through completion of the new church in its present location on Anna Street. He was proud of the work done by his Church community, and deeply honored when the church was designated the Cathedral of New England. His dedicated work on the St. George Building Commission was later acknowledged with an Award of Meritorious Service in 1986 by the His Eminence the Most Reverend Metropolitan Philip Saliba, Primate of the Antiochian Christian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America. In 1975, he was honored by Dana Farber's Jimmy Fund as "Man of the Year", and initiated the very first Jimmy Fund Golf Classic at Pleasant Valley Country Club. An avid golfer, Eddie served on the Board of Governors at Pleasant Valley before becoming the Club's President for seven years. Despite taking up golf later in life, Ed is known to have had an eventful life of golf which included seven holes in one and one round in which he had two holes in one at Pleasant Valley. At the Atlantis Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Eddie was one of the Club's first members joining in the early 1970's and he served on its Board of Governors. Aside from his career in business, his hours in community and charitable work, and his love of golf, Eddie considered his family his greatest achievement. He was a loyal son and brother, a loving husband, a devoted father, a beloved grandfather and great grandfather, and a trusted friend to all who knew him. He will be sorely missed. Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family, Friday, January 6th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and again on Saturday, January 7th from 10:00 am to 10:45 at St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna St. Worcester. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 am in the cathedral. Interment will be in Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna St. Worcester 01604. The MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street Worcester, is honored to assist the family with arrangements.