Peter Behnan Gergis

In Loving Memory of Peter Behnan Gergis
With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Peter Behnan Gergis, who left us with a remarkable legacy of love, laughter, and generosity.
Peter was a beloved brother to Ramzi, Richard, and Morey Gergis, and Sue Boji. He was a devoted husband to Billie Jean Gergis, his wife of over 60 years, and a loving father to Mark, Erik, Jeanne, Kristie, and Peter. He was also a cherished grandfather to Hannah and Sarah Nisr, and a much-loved father-in-law to Ayesha Keshani Gergis and Sadek Nisr.
Peter – also known as Farouk in his youth - was born on August 19, 1938 in Baghdad, Iraq, to Rozah and Behnam Gergis, and grew up in a vibrant and close-knit family. His early years were filled with happy memories of swimming in the Euphrates, playing backgammon, helping in his father's market and later working as a telephone operator for the government. In 1959, Peter decided to leave Iraq in search of new opportunities and adventures. He settled in Germany for five unforgettable years, working and attending university where he studied Engineering. He lived in Cologne and Berlin, and fondly described those years as some of the best of his life. Always impeccably dressed and full of charm, Peter embraced life in Europe, continuing his education, working as a skilled machinist, and traveling across the continent with his brothers, Ramzi and Richard.
In 1964, Peter met the love of his life, Billie Jean Read, a schoolteacher from Los Altos, California, who was traveling through Europe. They met in Berlin, and were married at St. Giles-in-the-Fields Church in London on August 18, 1964. Shortly after, Peter moved to the United States, where he became a U.S. citizen and built a life with Billie Jean in the Bay Area, California. They would take frequent trips to Michigan where his parents, siblings and extended family settled during the 1960s and 1970s.
Peter was a natural businessman with a keen sense of humor and a love for being where the action was. Known as the life of the party, he loved singing, telling stories, and sharing jokes. His early hobbies included photography, stamp and coin collecting, shooting home movies, and enjoying music-from the Arabic classics to Western singers like Dean Martin and Connie Francis. During his career, he owned several successful Northern California liquor stores in the 1970s and 1980s and later worked in sales, including as a regional manager for Kretek International before retiring in the 2010s.
Peter's life was marked by his unwavering dedication to his family, his generosity, and his vibrant spirit. He and Billie Jean celebrated over 60 years of marriage and renewed their vows on their 50th anniversary in 2014, at the same church they had married at in London. They cherished each other's company and especially enjoyed getaways to Lake Tahoe, California over the years. They relocated to Michigan in 2022 where he had the chance to spend the rest of his days with his beloved siblings and close family.
Peter's funeral service will be held on Friday, December 20th, at 10:00 AM at Mother of God Church, Southfield, Michigan. All are welcome to join us in honoring his memory.
Peter will be deeply missed but never forgotten.