Althea Faredi and Elias KARRAM

1935 - 2023

KARRAM, Althea Faredi
March 3, 1935 - July 23, 2022
And
KARRAM, Elias Karam
April 26, 1929 - May 26, 2023

In loving memory of our Mother, Althea Faredi Karram who passed away peacefully at home in West Vancouver, B.C. on July 23, 2022 and our Father, Elias Karam Karram, who passed away peacefully at the North Shore Hospice on May 26, 2023, ten months after. They are now lovingly reunited in Heaven after 69 years of marriage.

Althea (Mom) was born in Highgate, Jamaica. She is predeceased by her parents Fouad and Salwa Shoucair and her two younger brothers, Victor and Clifton (Jack).

Elias (Dad) was born in Chawifate, Lebanon and moved to Jamaica when he was 9 years old. He is predeceased by his parents, Karam and Victoria Karram and his siblings, Odette, Alice and Souhail.

Mom and Dad were married in 1953 in Jamaica. Together they raised their family of 6 children. They worked tirelessly along side each other to build their own family business. Dad's childhood dream was to be an automobile dealer. He soon realized that dream after they were married and opened a used car lot. He traded under the name of Karram's Kar-Mart. In the late 50's he started importing used cars from the US and by the early 60's became the sub-dealer for United Motors and identified mainly with Buick. In 1968 Dad was offered the Volvo representation for Jamaica and it was our Mom who actually sold the very first Volvo! They were soon invited to become members of the Automobile Dealers Assoc. (ADA). In 1970, Dad was appointed to the Board of the ADA and was elected as Chairman in 1972-73 and later he was inducted into their hall of fame.

In 1974, Mom and Dad moved their family to West Vancouver, BC, Canada. In 1978, our family acquired Happy Honda, a dealership in Burnaby, BC. Mom and Dad continued to commute back and forth to Jamaica as well as Florida, where many of our dear family members lived.

Mom was always passionate about life. She was a cheerleader at all of her children's and grandchildren's events. She was spontaneous and fun and she made it a priority to make wonderful memories for all of us. Her motto was always to Live, Love and Laugh. She was an amazing artist and her hospitality was second to none.

Our Dad was a kind, generous and godly man. His passion was his family and his hobby was his car business. He really loved technology and managed to impress his grandchildren by keeping up with them and the fast changes that it brought. Together, Mom and Dad opened their home and their hearts to so many.

After a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease, our Mom passed away, peacefully at home, at the age of 87. The disease tried, but it could not rob her of the twinkle in her eyes or the devotion of her husband and family.

Our Dad passed away 10 months later, surrounded by love, at the age of 94. He was a man of strength, dignity and grace. He was our hero.

Our parents have left behind 6 devoted children, Peter, Michael, Grace, Sonjia, Kristine and Christopher and their dear spouses, 20 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren with 3 more on the way. Their life was fruitful and they were blessed. They have left an incredible legacy for all of us.

Our family would like to thank Dr. Lucy McShane, Dr. Robin Hsiung, Dr. Dahi, VCH palliative care home support staff, North Shore Hospice Staff and all who helped in their care throughout the years. A very special thank you to Penny, their caregiver, who was an angel sent to us when we needed her the most.

A celebration of their beautiful lives will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 2:00pm at Boal Chapel, 1505 Lillooet Road, North Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Alzheimer's Society in memory of Elias and Althea Karram.