Elias George JP NEMER

NEMER, Elias George JP

(Lovingly known as Les)

FORMER HONORARY CONSUL OF LEBANON IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Born in Qnaywer, Lebanon on October 10, 1933. Passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on July 31, 2021. Aged 87 years. Beloved husband of Violet (deceased). Loved and cherished father and father-in-law of Anne and Habib Awwad, Anthony and Diana Nemer, Elizabeth and Nick Pantsaras, Jennifer (deceased) and Peter Khoury, Alexandra and Bassam Chaptini, Michelle Awkar, Helen and Massimo Capasso. Adored Jidoh of George, Danny and Dimitri, Eli, Lesley and Tim, Natalie, Elias, Jamie, Frankie and Shenay, Jonathan and Natalie, Marina and Raymond, Cassandra and Matthew, Joseph, Janelle, Nathan, Shaheed, Anthony and Nirvana, Gabrielle and Alessandra. Cherished Big-Jidoh of Elias, Anna, Nicholas, George Much loved brother of Michael and also Hanni, Antoine, Georgette, Nouhad, Marie, Houda (all deceased). Lovingly remembered by family and friends in Australia and overseas.

To our darling Dad and Jidoh, you were an inspiration to us all. From humble beginnings you showed us that with hard work and perseverance any dream can be fulfilled. However, your greatest achievement was building this family that loved, respected and looked to you as a role model. We will always remember the knowledge and advice you imparted on us, the support you gave us when striving to achieve our goals, and will forever reminisce on your entertaining stories from your colourful life. You loved us all equally and embraced our partners into your family as your own. Your great-grandchildren, Anna and George, are so lucky to have met you. Together, you shared beautiful moments that will be forever cherished. You were a remarkable person that we are all so fortunate to have had in our lives. We love you and will miss you always, Anne, Habib, George, Eli, Danny, Dimitra, Anna and George Awwad.

Our dear Dad and Jidah. We are still coming to terms with your passing, hoping to wake up from what feels like a bad dream. Our hearts are broken and the thought of life without you scares us. You were our everything. Our provider, confidant, protector, leader and so much more. You taught us the importance of family, to work hard, to remember our Lebanese roots, always be the bigger person, and to share our blessings with others. Your legacy will live on through us and we will tell the future Nemer generations about you and all that you were. Give Mum/Nanna a big hug and kiss from us. You both will always hold a special place in our hearts. All our love, Anthony, Diana, Lesley and Tim, Natalie and Elias xxxxx

Dad, I shared a bond with you that I will treasure forever. As our father and Jidah, you were our role model. You inspired us, taught us to always put family first, to live respectfully, and to love wholeheartedly. We are so proud of you and all that you achieved; no words can do that justice. We love you and will miss you so much but we find comfort knowing you are back in the arms of your soulmate. Love always, Lizzy and Nick, Jamie and Ben, Frankie and Shenay.

Jidou, you were the one constant in our lives. A'ame, you were the only father I ever knew and my closest companion. To us you were everything – a grandfather, a father and a best friend. We will be forever indebted to you and Nana for taking us in as your own when your own was taken from you - you filled our every void. You made us proud to be yours but most importantly, you made us proud to be who we are. We thank you for imparting your culture, wisdom and faith upon us. While we have been on many trips together, your final one you must go on alone. We love you and will miss you. Peter, Jonathan, Natalie, Marina, Raymond and your “beautiful boys”.

Dad, my heart is broken with your loss, but I will try to be strong and continue with you watching over me. Like the cedars of Lebanon, your legacy will live through our family and our future generations. We were blessed to have you as an inspirational role model and mentor in our lives. The lessons and values you instilled in us will live on forever. You left a mark on our hearts and lives that will never be erased. We know that your spirit will always be with each one of us. We love you with all our heart and soul. Love from your loving daughter, Alexandra, son-in-law, Bassam Chaptini, and your loving grandchildren, Cassandra and husband Matt, Joseph and fiancé Helene, Janelle, and Nathan.

Dad, you were my hero and my strength. To my sons, you were a father and role model. We owe everything we have and are to you. When we were lost, you showed us the way and when we were down, you held us up. We pray your soul continues to guide us so we can continue your legacy. We will miss you for eternity, Michelle, Shaheed, Anthony and Nirvana.

Dad, Jidoh, you won our hearts with your love and affection and it is with great sadness that we say farewell. Like the branches of a Cedar of Lebanon, when it loses one strong branch, “…it will suffer but it does not die; it will pour its vitality into the next branch…it will grow and fill the empty place.” The memories you shared will be rich reminders of your constant appreciation for family and community. You have been an honourable and devoted father whose greatest accolade was the privilege of knowledge, rich in compassion, honesty and trust. We pray your legacy remains inherent and innate for generations to come and may you dwell in the house of our Lord forever. We will miss you terribly, in loving memory, Helen, Massimo, Gabrielle and Alessandra. xxxx

The family sincerely thank Dr Robert Culver, Dr Joseph Montarello, Dr Andrew Scroop, the wonderful nurses and carers at St Andrews Hospital Cardiac Unit and especially his GP, Dr Phoebe Chieng for their exceptional care, dedication and support given to Les.

Elias George Nemer passed away peacefully on the morning of 31 July, 2021, surrounded by his family at his home in Springfield, Adelaide. He was 87 years old. Elias, lovingly known as Les, was born in Qnaywer, Lebanon, on 10 October 1933, to parents Georges Tanoos Nemer and Shefia Danielle Hatti. As a child, he grew up in Tripoli, Lebanon and during the Second World War, spent time in Beit Awkar. When he was twelve years old, he returned to Tripoli and attended the American Boys’ School. During this time, he learnt the trade of pressing and dry cleaning, a skill that would influence his future business ventures in Australia. In 1951, Les decided to leave his beloved Lebanon and courageously journeyed to the other side of the world to join his eldest brother, Antoine, in Adelaide, South Australia. It was here that his life truly flourished. Upon arrival, he worked numerous jobs and in 1953, he pioneered his first business endeavour with his brother. This was the first of a lifetime of significant business achievements and contributions to the wider South Australian community. In 1979, he established International Linen Service, which soon became a thriving business that supplied linen to various hospitals, hotels and businesses throughout Adelaide. He also established one of the largest dairy farms in the country. In 1971, Les became the first elected President and Chairman of the Lebanese Maronite Community in Adelaide and was also President of the Lebanese Cultural Association. He was an instrumental figure in establishing the first Maronite Church in South Australia. In 1978 Les was appointed Honorary Consul for Lebanon, a role which he proudly served for 41 years. For the decades that followed and until his last years, his house would be open to politicians, dignitaries, members of the Arabic community, as well as all religious and cultural denominations. Despite these significant feats, it was shortly after his arrival in Adelaide that his greatest achievement transpired. At that time, Les lived with his brother and sister-in-law, Linda. Here, he met Linda’s younger sister, Violette Mary Nicholas. Despite first encountering one another as children, when Violette was a flower girl in her sister’s wedding, as adults their connection was quick to blossom and they fell deeply in love. They married on 13 July, 1957, at the Holy Cross Church, Goodwood. Les and Violet had a love and passion for the Lebanese community. Their house was always full of people, music and food. They sponsored and settled numerous Lebanese immigrants, helping them to adapt into their new homeland and assisting them to seek employment, housing and schooling for their growing families. Their house was one of generosity and love. In his later years, Les valued the simple things in life – his fig and mandarin trees, his black-and-white cowboy films and, above all, his family. Despite this slower pace, Les maintained his desire to keep up with the trends and demands, whether that be a bespoke suit or the latest technology. His house had an open-door policy, a place where anyone could come for business advice, guidance, or simply a good Lebanese coffee and remained thus until his last days. Les was an adored and caring father and father-in-law of Anne and Habib Awwad, Anthony and Diana Nemer, Elizabeth and Nick Pantsaras, Jennifer (deceased) and Peter Khoury, Alexandra and Bassam Chaptini, Michelle Awkar and Helen and Massimo Capasso. He was a cherished grandfather to 18 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Les was extraordinary in so many ways. He was a devoted father, leading by example and he made everyone who encountered him feel special. Much like the enduring cedars of Lebanon, Elias George Nemer’s legacy will remain steadfast and deep-rooted and he will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace, once again reunited with his beloved Violette.