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Charles Sawaya Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Charles Sawaya
Marie (Marion) Sweet
October 3, 2013
Chuck, You were a wonderful friend when we were in Okemos grade school. We played marbles at recess and at the end of your sixth grade when you would no longer be going out for recess, you gave me a girl a year younger, a cloth bag containing your whole marble collection. I lost contact with you over the years, but I will never forget you.
September 28, 2013
To my friends The Sawaya family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy. You're all in our prayers. Your mom & dad left wonderful memories for all of us. They shared their love with their garden & heritage. God bless.
Gilbert & Siham Baladi
Lisa Farah
September 27, 2013
Dearest Julie, Violet, Charlie, and George: I miss you all so very much. I will never, ever, ever forget how kind and loving you, Chuck, and Janet were to me when I showed up in East Lansing to attend Michigan State. I lived for Sundays back then. Chuck or Julie would stop by Wonders Hall every Sunday morning before liturgy to pick me up. Afterwards, it was crosswords in the den on Button Rd. until dinner was ready, then a spectacular weekly spread including kibbeh nayeh. Later I swept the kitchen floor for Janet, and then we'd zone out to football. Chuck and Janet became my surrogate parents. Janet invited me along with Julie and Violet to the Mother-Daughter dinner hosted by the church. Later, my dad and mother hosted Chuck and Janet for visits several times a year. Chuck and Dad watched horror movies together while Mom and Janet cooked together. Our lives were so deeply inter-twined! Khalil cantored at my wedding and let me borrow the holy crowns from St. Joseph for the ceremony, I helped nurse Julie after her tonsillectomy, my sisters were her sisters, I got to ride in Uncle John Rashid's boat, Tante Yvonne and the other Rahme's and Farhats were my very good friends, I learned the dabke from those Rahme brothers. Chuck and all the Lansing gang were my family. I got to spear fish for salmon with Chuck and ride in his tractor. He was a beloved friend/uncle/second father. I know Janet's loss devastated him. May God have mercy on his soul. My deepest sympathies to you all on the loss of your father and brother Joe. Though it's been years, you will always remain in my heart. (Following Dave's lead, I will add that I did shook today.) John, Najla, and my sisters all send their deepest sympathies and warmest regards. Much love, Lisa (Joseph) Farah
Nan Farhat
September 27, 2013
To the entire Sawaya family,
My thoughts and prayer are with all of you. I have very fond memories of your parents. May it comfort you knowing they are once again together.
Dave and Nadia Ritchey
September 26, 2013
To Julie, Violet, Charlie and the beloved Sawaya family. Thoughts and prayers to all of you during this time of sorrow and reflection. From the time I first met this wonderful family 20-25 years ago; at church conventions, at the Sawaya household in Okemos and spending time in the Lansing area, going from Detroit to Lansing, the different people I met at the church, getting together with the Josrphs and Mansours, making trips up to Michigan( Thanks Lisa for being a student at Michigan St.)Cedar Point- etc. Charles and Janet were always very kind and caring to me and definitely made me feel like part of the family when I visited. My goodness , where has the time gone? Mr. Sawaya may your memory be eternal. Your legacy will definitely be remembered. Again from all my family to yours, God Bless to all of you with deepest sorrow but knowing Charles is now in a special and glorious place called heaven. And finally- Julie, this goes to you with a sense of bitter sweet happiness- YES I DID SHOOK TODAY!!!!
mark farhat
September 26, 2013
To Julie,Violet,an all the Sawaya family and relatives. Mr.Sawaya was a great person.I was glad to see him when I came home from texas during the summer.Went to golds gymn alot and MrSawaya would work out very hard.He will be missed.
Janelle Herro
September 26, 2013
On behalf of your Federation family, we want to extend our deepest sympathy to your entire family. Charles was a wonderful person who will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.
Ernest and Alice Southworth
September 25, 2013
Our sympathy to Chuck's family. We have many memories of good times with Chuck. Ernest was an Okemos classmate and I met him when he visited our Chicago area home early in our marriage. The Okemos High Class of 49ers are really a special group and Chuck was always there in the midst.
Neil and Lynda Childs
September 25, 2013
We met Chuck when our friends Jim and Judy, and also Fred and Bernice Wait, asked us to join their table at Downtown Coaches. He was friendly, interesting, and certainly a devoted Spartan! He will be missed by all of us, and we send our deepest sympathy to the family. He was a fine gentleman and a proud Spartan. From two other proud Spartans,
Vic DeRose
September 25, 2013
Our deepest sympathy.
Vic, Dolores & Steve DeRose
September 25, 2013
We sat with your dad at the Downtown Coaches Club lunches for many years and just recently remembered how he always took home the bread for his "puppy". He was a great man!
Jim & Judy Schneider, Jackson
Jean Maynard
September 25, 2013
We are so very sorry to hear of Chuck's passing. Your family has always been ours and losing your father is like losing our own. God's blessings on you and yours as well as our love and prayers. Jean (Lameier) and Jim Dodaro.
Jasen Filipiak`
September 25, 2013
Chuck you were a great person and an awesome neighbor. Michelle and I will always remember the pumpkin parties at your house in the fall and the gracious hospitality you and Janet demonstrated when we moved out to the Every/Button Rd neighborhood . I will miss stopping by to chat from time to time and listening to your life experiences, mostly you saying "I was Okemos before Okemos was cool." We've always admired what you had accomplished in life and your giving spirit. You will be missed dearly! Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. The Filipiak's
Edward and Nariman & family Chahine
September 25, 2013
September 25, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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