Obituary of Salim Yousif Hanna

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart, we announce the death of our beloved father, loving husband, and Gilbert icon, Salim Yousif Hanna. Salim was born on 12/01/1947 in Tell Keif, a small town in northern Iraq and passed on 08/15/2020, in Gilbert, AZ. Salim was preceded in death by his father, Savani Yousif Hanna Attisha, mother, Jamila Attisha, and brother, Sabri Hanna. Salim is survived by his wife, Noual Hanna, his children, Christine Hanna, Christopher Hanna, Michael Hanna, Mark Hanna, Steven Hanna, Anne Hanna, and Samantha Hanna. He is also survived by his brother, Noori Attisha, and sisters, Sadia Jarbo, Samira Attisha, and Margaret Attisha. Salim was the epitome of the American Dream. Salim (Sam) immigrated to the United States from Iraq in 1973 to Detroit, Michigan. He apprenticed as a butcher initially working for free, but through hard work and a strong will, Sam got hired on as the full time Butcher after just a few days of training. In 1977, Sam met the love of his life, Noual, and they were married later that year. Sam and his new wife saved and worked hard at multiple jobs just to make ends meat and to provide for their family. Eventually he was able to purchase his first convenience store (which they called a party store). Sam and Noual ran the store for a few years before selling it and moving to Oak Park, MI. Sam bought a truck and opened his own business delivering produce. The company was called Sam"s Family Produce. Sam ran the produce business for over twelve years before moving the family to Gilbert, AZ in 1994. Sam chose Arizona after a short visit and instantly falling in love because it reminded him so much of Iraq. Sam purchased Gilbert Convenient Mart (the first liquor store in the area) and ran it ever since. In 2018, in the culmination of all his and his family's hard work, Sam built a two-story building on the corner of Gilbert and Bruce which houses Hundred North Bar and Kitchen. Sam was known for his abrupt and outspoken nature. He would not hold back his feelings and wouldn't take anything from anyone. He dreamed big, sometimes too big for those around him, but he always found a way to prove the doubters wrong. He was determined to succeed in anything he put his mind and heart into and wouldn't accept no for an answer. He was able to make his American Dream come true from sheer determination, strong will and hard work, which he instilled in all his children. Sam loved poker, gardening, boxing, his many dogs Hazey, Cyrus, Peroni, Miley, Stella, Cross, Brownie, Katherine, Rocky, and Lucy, and his family. He is and will always be a part of our hearts and minds. We love and miss you Bob (Dad in Arabic).