George Aziz ABOUZEID

ABOUZEID, George Aziz

82, of Palm Beach, FL and Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland, died peacefully at home on November 12, 2013, surrounded by his loving family, after a long illness. George was born in Beirut, Lebanon, only child to Aziz and Diane Abouzeid. He attended the Sorbonne University in Paris, France, and graduated from the University of Miami of Ohio in 1955. Upon graduation, he married Sandra Grimes of Indianapolis, IN, and joined the Continental Casualty company as an underwriter. Shortly thereafter, he joined C.V. Starr & Company in New York City and began a career in international insurance that spanned more than 30 years. He spent many years living abroad, as head of the American International Underwriters operations in Europe. Eventually he was appointed president of American Life Insurance Company and executive vice-president and board member of American International Group (AIG), before retiring in 1992. Following a divorce, George remarried and, with his wife Diana Abouzeid, divided his time between their homes in Palm Beach, FL, and Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland. George was active in numerous civic and philanthropic organizations and with Diana, directed and financed the building of a renewal center in Bosnia for children orphaned by war in the 1990s. George was an avid golfer and expert tennis player, and a popular member of the Palm Beach Polo and Mar-a-Lago Clubs. He enjoyed a morning tennis match nearly every day of his life until the last few months of his illness. He was also owner of the very popular Gourmet Deli House in Lake Worth, FL. George is survived by his beloved wife, Diana Abouzeid, his children by his first marriage, Pamela Abouzeid Lister of Fair Haven, NJ, Mandy Galante of Little Silver, NJ, Chris Abouzeid of Belmont, MA, and Mark Abouzeid of Florence, Italy, and his children by his second marriage, Andrew Abouzeid of Blacksburg, VA, Stefan Horbonis and Melissa George of West Palm Beach, FL. He leaves behind dozens of family and friends, including his devoted assistant, Cecilia Rosenzweig, and 17 grandchildren who adored him. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Palm Beach. Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are asked to visit www.george-abouzeid.com. Arrangements entrusted to Quattlebaum Funeral and Cremation Services, 1201 S. Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

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