Halim “Al” Saikali
It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the unexpected passing of Al Saikali on March 2, 2016 at the age of 87.
Al was the beloved husband of Jeannette of 64 years and the devoted father of Barbara Hanna, Jane Merner (John), Gloria McCann (Mike) and Sammy Saikali.
He was also the loving grandfather of Jessica Kraus (Steve), Stephanie Hanna Tetz (Everett), Ashley Lyon (Pascal), Courtney Hanna (Beau Doherty), Jordanna McCann Flores (Miguel), Justin Merner (Nikki McGuinty), Alexandra Ciaffaglione (Chris), Victoria Merner (Peter Campbell), Eric Saikali, Sydney Saikali and great-grandchildren Emerson Kraus, Livia Lyon, Alexandra Kraus, Sienna Ciaffaglione and the late Theodore Hanna Tetz.
Al is survived by his sister Evelyn Saikaly (Najib) and brother Norman Saikali (Affaf) and predeceased by his beloved mother Melvina and his father Salim. In addition, Al is survived by loving in-laws, numerous nieces and nephews, Godchildren and lifelong friends. Al was a very generous, charismatic and hard- working man who loved his family above all else.
As the founder of Al’s Steakhouse, Al was a true pioneer in the Ottawa restaurant scene. He opened Al’s Steakhouse on Elgin Street in 1967, Ottawa’s first fine dining restaurant and an Ottawa institution.
Friends and relatives may pay their respects on Friday, March 18 between 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home located at 1411 Hunt Club Road.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, March 19 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral located at 2975 Riverside Drive.
In memoriam donations may be made to St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral. –