Jean Said Kawbali

Jean was born in 1945 to Said and Fahima Kawbali. He grew up in Mar Mikhael with four sisters and a brother. He earned a degree in electronics and communications engineering in Lebanon, and traveled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for work.

He worked hard for a few years abroad, but came back to settle in Lebanon in 2005. In his master's thesis, he developed a number of electronic inventions related to air conditioners, and television sets.

Jean never got married, probably due to the unstable economic and security situation in Lebanon. In the eyes of his sister Josephine, he will always be her pampered little brother, and when he turned to her after he came back, her home was open for him.

75-year old Jean was a handsome, happy man. He loved life, and was a dynamic hard worker until his last breath.

On August 4, 2020, he spent the afternoon at his sister's, had lunch with her, and took a shower before he went back to his small shop in Mar Mikhael, around 5:00 PM; he unfortunately had an appointment with death.

Without prior notice, an explosion blew warehouse number 12 at the Port of Beirut at 6:07 PM. Its shock waves shattered glass and destroyed buildings in surrounding areas, including Jean's little shop.

A passer-by saw Jean in his shop, covered in blood, and evacuated him to Al-Sahel Hospital, but he arrived dead. According to the medical report, his death is caused by extreme physical injuries.

Hours after the explosion, his family was informed of his passing. Loved ones gathered for his funeral the next day, at the neighbouring Mar Mikhael church, amidst the destruction.