Obituary of Raymond Sékaly

RAYMOND RAFIK JEAN ALBERT SEKALY November 10, 1921 – November 8, 2016 Beloved husband, soulmate and best friend of the late Simone Sekaly (née Zariffa) and father of the late Ragi Henri Sekaly. Survived by his son Gabriel Farid Sekaly, his loving sister Jacqueline Bittar, his niece Irene and Rene Arnolis, his nephews Rafick-Pierre and Norma Sekaly, Christian and Elena Sekaly, Guy and Cynthia Bittar, and his many friends. Born in Cairo, Egypt, Raymond excelled at the Lycée Français where he consistently placed in the top three. His studies were interrupted by the War and he worked for the British Aviation services in Egypt. He attended the Université de Caen in Normandy in 1945 where he studied engineering and made lifelong friends. He returned to Egypt where he worked for Mercedes Benz amongst others. He married his soul mate, Simone, on November 18, 1956 and together they embarked on establishing their family with the arrival of Ragi in 1958 and Gabriel in 1959. In 1964, to make a better life for their children, the family immigrated to Canada. Raymond worked for a number of companies including SOMA and Giffen before joining Transport Canada in 1972. Never one to rest on his laurels, Raymond went to the University of Ottawa, graduating in 1980 with a degree in International Cooperation and Development. Raymond was also the author of “Transnationalization of the Automobile Industry” that was published in 1981. Raymond taught in many countries including Haiti, Romania and Hungary. In 1984 he was awarded an honourary doctorate. He and Simone, along with Jacqueline, travelled extensively in France, Portugal, Switzerland and Spain. Raymond was the primary caregiver to his beloved Simone for the last 15 years of her life. Their mutual love and devotion was evident to all who met them. He has now gone to join Simone. The family would like to thank all the staff at Delmanor Wynford for their love and support. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES – NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 25th. Service in the chapel on Saturday, November 26th at 11:00 a.m. If desired, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 55 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 500, Toronto M4V 2Y7. Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.