||| SUN DAYS ON ORCAS by EDEE KULPER |||
Tony Ghazel is a lovely human being, in case you haven’t met him. He has a daily knack of getting people together for coffee and conversation – it’s one of his gifts. It’s easy to get busy or used to family and work patterns, and Tony makes sure he is a ready friend, up for meeting and connecting about the important – or light – stuff of life. Tony is also very active in our community. Here are 27 things about him, in case you didn’t see his write-up on Michell Marshall’s whiteboard several years ago…
- Born in Southern Lebanon in the second half of the last century – okay, early in the second half
- Family survived the 1959 Lebanese Civil War
- Altar boy
- Played clumsy senator in children’s political satire play
- English is my third language
- Lived in Liberia, West Africa, while in secondary school
- First in the family to emigrate to the US, January ‘74
- First in the family to attend college, studied Electrical Engineering
- Played college basketball
- Naturalized US citizen
- 25 years member of the Orcas Island Lions and am a past president
- 3 years treasurer on the Orcas Island Education Foundation board
- 14 years member of the Orcas Island School District Board serving as chair and in other capacities – love public education
- 20 years certified soccer referee
- Member Orcas Island Community Church and board
- Postage stamp collector
- Worked on design/construction of an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine
- Don’t like cold water
- Eat salad at the end of the meal
- Don’t watch disaster/horror movies
- My wife makes superb hummus
- Married in May 1986 – three sons OIHS graduates
- Favorite activity is to spend time with near and extended family
- Enjoy coffee with family, friends and ??
- Member of the Orcas Island Food Bank board
- Member of the 2021 San Juan Co Charter Review Commission
- Enjoy participating in activities: tennis, golf, strength conditioning
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And many more!!! We miss you!
Thank you for that great tribute to Tony Ghazel.
Tony is so talented; and he shares his knowledge, skills, and abilities daily for the community good.
It has been a privilege working with Tony over the years.
Much love and respect,
Patrick Shepler
28. Computer guru. If it’s broken, Tony will fix it.
29. Has a great smile. You’ve seen it.
30…..
Thanks ,Tony, for all you do. Orcas Island is better place because of you!
Thanks, Edee! It’s great to see gathered together some of Tony’s contributions. #30 — Tony brought our library’s technology into the 21st century and #31 was a terrific colleague.
Oh my gosh, sounds like Tony was almost as busy as I was! And he did so many good/interesting/varied things! And he had so much fun! (So did I! We’re not done!)
I saw Tony recently. He’s really not done!! Go Tony!!