Harry Hakeem

Harry Hakeem, age 96, beloved husband, father, Jiddou, Jid Jid and life of the party was reunited with the love of his life, Linda, and entered into Eternal Life on Sunday, May 21, 2023.
Harry was born on December 7, 1926, in Fall River, Massachusetts where his mother, Azizi Mitre Hakeem and his father, Said Mansour Hakeem settled after immigrating from Lebanon. When he was 12 years old his mother died leaving Harry, his father, Said, and three older brothers, Lou, Phil and Eddie, and an older sister, Lottie, who now had the role of caring for this family.

Harry met Linda Koury at a local beach and love struck. Four years of challenging courtship, Army placement in Germany during the Korean War and determination to be together culminated in a February 18, 1951, wedding, then four children, Bev, Bob, Celeste, and Jim. At this time Harry was losing his hearing and knew his job as a draftsman for the defense contracts in Massachusetts would soon come to an end. Deafness led him to Albuquerque to work with Linda's brothers, Joe and George Koury starting life anew in the desert. In 1977 Harry, Linda, and sons, Bob and Jim opened Hakeem's Bakery making traditional Lebanese pita bread, later expanding to include Bagel King and Brothers bagels. It was Harry's dream and distribution expanded to thousands of grocery stores across the United States.

His children grew and married and soon 11 grandchildren filled their living room and backyard pool. Harry's grandchildren were the light of his life. He could often be seen around town or on bread deliveries with at least 3 grandchildren in tow. An exclusive grandchildren's club "The Silver Eagles" was born and adventures ensued for years to come. After 35 years of being deaf, Harry became the oldest person in Albuquerque at the time to receive a cochlear implant. Through this life changing surgery, a love for the Presbyterian Ear Institute and the work they do for oral deaf education grew. They became his second family and the Harry Hakeem Scholarship fund was created.

Harry's full life and legacy will live on through his family. He is survived by his children, Beverly Lawson and husband, Don, Bob Hakeem and fiancé, Jill Wark, Celeste Herrera and husband, Steve, Jim Hakeem and wife, Jackie; grandchildren, Keith Lawson and wife, Molly, Kara Lawson, Jenaya Howard and husband, Scott, Jesse Herrera and wife, Michelle, Adam Hakeem and wife, Caroline, Fr. Samuel Hakeem, Joshua Herrera and wife, Taylor, Rachel Cheetham and husband, Brad, Ally Hakeem, Greg Hakeem and wife, Susan, Bethany Shu and husband, Michael and 17 great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, June 19, 2023, 10:00 a.m., at St. John XXIII Catholic Community, 4831 Tramway Ridge Dr NE, Albuquerque.
In lieu of flowers a Memorial Contribution may be sent to the Harry Hakeem Scholarship Fund. PresbyterianEarInstitute.org.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMphNs_H1JU