Antoine Barmaki
Antoine had five brothers and sisters: Joseph, Georges, Janette, Rosette and Yvette.
he was married to Mrs. Feryal Geroges Haddad, and had a son and two daughters: Roy, Najat and Carole.
He grew up in Hammana, and graduated with a degree in Urban Planning.
He loved his village tremendously, and was commonly known as "Daddy". Antoine was decent, generous and helpful, he was a social activist for over forty years. Antoine loved life, he was renowned for his modesty. He lost his life as a result to the corruption and neglect at the Port of Beirut.
"Abou Roy" was a dedicated father, a committed husband, and a loving grandfather who was a friend to his grandchildren. He lived young and died young.
Antoine held different positions throughout his life. He was the president of Rotary Club - Hammana in 2006-2007 and again in 2020. He was the vice-president of the Municipality of Hammana between 2010 and 2013. He was also one of the founders of the "Club Touristique Hammana".
His life ended suddenly. Antoine was one of the many victims of the explosion of the Port of Beirut. On the fourth of August, he was visiting his nephew who just had an open heart surgery at Saint George University Hospital.
It was during visiting hours, and most of the family was present in the waiting room, waiting to hear good news about their relative. His daughter Carole was also there with her husband, but she left around 4:30 PM. Antoine walked with her to the parking lot to say his "final" goodbye.
An hour and a half later, the Beirut explosion was all over the news. Carole was answering calls reassuring everyone her dad was fine, and that he was still with the family at the hospital.
Carole also tried to call her father, but there was no network. Thus, she decided to go with her husband to check on him. On their way to the hospital, her husband received a call telling him Antoine was transferred, with other wounded persons, from Saint George University Hospital to the French Hospital of the Levant.
As soon as they arrived to the hospital, Carole started looking for her dad among the wounded, but her husband had already been informed his father in law passed away. He held his wife's hand through the most difficult time of her life. According to the medical report, he died of shards of glass hitting him in the neck.
Antoine left this world, but his name and legacy are not forgotten, and will forever fill the hearts of his loved ones. He will always be remembered for his famous motto "money is not to be collected, it is to be spent to have fun, to love, and to live!"
In honor of his life, Rotary Lebanon and Rotary International, in collaboration with Rotary Club – Hammana Upper Meten, are raising money to fund the reconstruction of the maternity ward in Saint George University Hospital, in his name.