George Farkouh, who was mayor of Elliot Lake from 1989 until 2006, has died.
Farkouh passed away on Wednesday and the city has lowered its flags to half-mast to honour his contributions to the community.
Farkouh was elected mayor when the uranium mines were closing, and the city faced uncertainty.
With assistance from the provincial government, he promoted the city as an ideal retirement community, which proved to be a success story that continues today.
Former mining homes were purchased and marketed to potential residents at a price that fit in for those who wanted to retire inexpensively.
Last year, he retired as owner of Algoma Chrysler after being in the business for decades.
Farkouh was born in Acre, Palestine on May 27, 1947.
In April 1948, the family moved as refugees to Beirut, Lebanon.
On August 22, 1959, the family travelled by boat from Beirut to Montreal where his eldest sibling, Nicholas, met the family and moved the family to Elliot Lake on August 24, 1959.
He met Louise in Elliot Lake when the yards of their homes backed onto each other, eventually falling in love during the Summer of 1969.
Farkouh attended the University of Western Ontario and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree and then a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Ivey School of Business.
After they married in August 1973, the couple started their careers together in Toronto, where he worked at his first job in finance at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
They returned to Elliot Lake in 1975, so he could work with his brother Fawzi and open a General Motors dealership together, aptly named, Farkouh Chevrolet.
In 1986, he and his wife purchased Algoma Chrysler Inc., eventually growing the business to three locations of Algoma Chrysler in Spragge and Rainbow Country Chrysler in McKerrow/Espanola.
Farkouh enjoyed success as the dealer for over 36 years until he retired in 2022.
In 1986 he ran successfully for Councillor of Elliot Lake and was then elected Mayor in 1988, he was the Mayor of Elliot Lake from 1988 until 2006.
He was also an active member of the Elliot Lake Masonic Lodge and served as a member of many boards, including St. Joseph’s General Hospital, Elliot Lake Retirement Living, and Laurentian University, and was an active member of the Elliot Lake Tennis Club and Stoneridge Golf Course.
Even after his cancer diagnosis, he was determined to live life to the fullest and fought a very brave battle until the very end.
Family and friends will be received for visitation at the Elliot Lake Funeral Chapel, 36 Ontario Avenue, on Friday, September 8th, 2023, from 3 pm to 6 pm. The celebration of George’s Life will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Anglican Church, 13 Roman Avenue, on Saturday, September 9th, 2023, at 1 pm. Interment to follow at Woodlands Cemetery for a private burial.
He was 76.
(Biography provided by Farkouh family).
