Abdoul Traore Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information

LOCATION

New York, New York

Success in America
Abdoul Karim Traoré was intent on being a good provider. When his grain-and-beans shop went under in the Ivory Coast, he made a huge decision, immigrating to New York in 1993 while leaving his pregnant wife behind. "It was the only possibility he had for a better life," said his wife, Hadidjatou Karamoko Traoré.

Like many other illegal immigrants from West Africa, he first worked as a supermarket deliveryman. Next he became a dishwasher. But five years ago he hit the big time, becoming a banquet cook at Windows on the World, a steady job that provided health insurance and other benefits. Each day he rose at 3 a.m. to deliver USA Today before reporting to work at the restaurant. There, he took regular breaks for his daily Muslim prayers.

His wife immigrated in 1997, but because of visa complications, their daughter, Djenebou, now 8, has not been able to come. In New York, the couple had two more children, Souleymane, 3, and Hassan, 1, and with his earnings, Mr. Traoré took a bold leap toward the middle class, putting down a large down payment on a three-family house in the Bronx.

At Windows on the World, a United Nations of 450 workers from dozens of countries, Mr. Traoré, 40, was elected a union shop steward. Although he was one of the few Africans there, other workers, impressed by his intelligence and forcefulness, looked to him to present their case to management. "Everybody liked him," his wife said. "He was respected."

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What a great guy, very easy to talk to and possess a magnetic energy. He was my neighbor when I resided in park-chester in the Bronx. We often talked about purchasing real-estate and he was one of my inspirations to invested in rental property. When he passed I often remember his then young son, approximately 1 year of age, had a serious grimmest on his face, as if he knew what recently had occurred. throughout the time I lived there, that little boy as well as the wife always had the look of...

david kelly

March 23, 2017 | Bronx, NY

Dimitrios F

March 09, 2015 | Astoria, NY

My father and him were good friends :(

ki na

January 21, 2015 | Brooklyn, NY

Inna li lahi wa inna li layhi raja'un.

May 06, 2013

Karen Lynch

April 25, 2013 | Scotland

I never knew Karim before he came and get me on 07/21/1996 at the house where I was taken because he could not make it to JFK on time. Karim was coming from his second job. He never knew me but gave me a place to stay when I first entered the US. He taught me how to cook Macaroni and cheese and made me laugh everytime i was thinking about back home. I moved to my own room a few month later and never got the chance to say thank you. I miss him and I never forget him, the feeling is like...

Naheem Olatidoye

September 11, 2011 | Staten Island, NY

Hadidjatou, I read your story in the Times and wanted to reach out to you on this ninth anniversary of the day you and so many other lost loved ones. I have so much respect for you, working hard, raising your children right, honoring your faith, and staying true to the dreams you and your husband shared. Know that there are people out here who will be thinking of you on this sad day and wish you and your family peace.

Donna

September 10, 2010 | Syracuse

In remembrance....

P Tabbernor

April 03, 2007 | Victoria, BC

My heart goes out to the family and much respect for Abdoul Karim who came to this country to make the life for his family better and he was such a hard worker it sadens me that something like this can happen to a wonderful man like this, God bless you and your family, they where blessed to have you as a husband and a father

Anna Ballano

November 27, 2003 | Brooklyn, NY

Abdoul Karim Traore

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