Meet Ted

My Dad and the Real Life Teddy

There aren’t enough words in the world to describe my dad. He was an incredible person. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for him and my mom. He made a lot of sacrifices, endured many hardships, but he never gave up. He’s the reason I started this page. I wanted to honor him and his memory, and to share his love and light with the world. As someone told me recently, we need more Teds in the world. And I totally agree.

For those of you interested in learning about my dad, my brother wrote a beautiful obituary (I omitted a few things for privacy.) Thank you for taking time to read about my hero. 🥹❤️

“Do good and throw in the ocean” – this ancient Arabic proverb was more than just words my father quoted; it was the compass that guided his entire life. The proverb speaks to showing kindness without keeping score, and that’s exactly how he moved through the world. Every day, he scattered acts of goodness behind him like breadcrumbs, never turning back to see who might have gathered them up.

Through his work, he touched countless lives over the years. While you may not recognize his name, there’s a good chance you’ve tasted his food. Losing his father at just nine years old, he learned life’s hardest lessons early – chief among them that his calling was to serve others. This early loss shaped him, forcing him to shoulder adult responsibilities while still a child.

When the Lebanese Civil War of the 1980s drove him from his homeland, he landed in Seattle with little more than hope and determination. Those first months in America tested his resolve – he lived in a closet-sized space, worked two jobs at $2.90 an hour, and still pursued his education.

His unexpected transfer to the Midwest turned out to be destiny in disguise – there in the college dormitories, he met the woman who would become his wife. Their chance encounter blossomed into a 42-year marriage that became the bedrock of their family of five.

From childhood, Ted was naturally drawn to entrepreneurship – he understood that in business, success was directly proportional to effort, and Ted knew how to work harder than anyone. His restaurants became more than just businesses; they were the means through which he could provide for not only his wife and children here, but also support his mother back home.

Ted’s restaurants transcended the usual definition of a business – they became true community sanctuaries. He had an unwavering commitment to lifting others up, whether by offering employment to those seeking a second chance after incarceration, or by creating a support system for refugee families who needed not just meals, but a space to feel at home. His genuine care for people fostered deep connections with people, some following him from place to place over the decades.

Even while battling pancreatic cancer, Ted remained true to his nature. He never complained or showed anger. Right until the end, his thoughts were focused on others, particularly his family.

Ted is survived by his beloved wife, his three precious children, his loving grandchildren, and his two mischievous puppies.