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Salem History
(Khatar Salem Moufarrage)

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Obituary

The following is a reprint of the obituary for Carter Salem, Sr.

Carter Salem Sr., 80, a Lackawanna businessman, died suddenly Thursday afternoon (July 19, 1973) in Hinsdale, while driving to visit relatives in Olean.

Mr. Salem of Newton Rd., Hamburg, started business in Lackawanna as a door-to-door salesman with his brother Joseph, now of Phoenix, Ariz., soon after they arrived here from Lebanon in 1914.

They established a clothing store on Wood St., near Electric Ave., and donated the second floor of the building to the original St. Michael’s Church of Lackawanna.

The store was later moved to Electric Ave. and Warsaw St. and subsequently expanded to two stores on ridge Rd. One of the businesses is still operated by the family.

Mr. Salem served in World War I and became an American citizen through his service.

He was always immaculately attired in a white shirt, bow tie and coat and was active in civic and church affairs until his death.

He was a charter member of the Father Baker Council, Knights of Columbus and a founder of the Lackawanna Lebanese Club, one of the city’s oldest social organizations.

He was a member of the Holy Name Society of St. Peter & Paul Church, Hamburg and St. John Maron Church of Williamsville.

Besides his brother, he is survived by four sons, Carter Jr. and Nelson of Hamburg, Eugene of Syracuse and Edward of Rochester; two daughters, Mrs. Thaddeus Druzbik and Mrs. Gerald McDonough of Hamburg; and a sister Mrs. Alife Mfrrage of Lebanon and 25 grandchildren.

Services will be held at 9AM Monday from Colonial Memorial Chapel, 3003 South Park Ave., Lackawanna and 10 AM from St. John Maron Church. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Letters

Translation of a letter that was left in a book that Carter Salem owned. The letter had a date of “1971” at the top. I did not have a signature that could be read. We are assuming it came from one of Carter Salem’s sisters.)

1971

My Dear Brother KHATTAR:

Words can not explain how much I have missed you, I write to you after a 3 year period since my last letter, it is all due to the numerous problems that came down on my head, praise to Allah (God) that the fourth and last operation in my throat was successful, I remained for a period of fourteen months eating soup. I was not able to swallow anything. For more than a year I felt my throat was as thin as cigarette paper.

Let me know how is YOUSSEFF doing, send my regards to him and his family. I am here lonely (I blame time and Time Blames me *). I am not wasting a minute without work

I would like to move from the city, but work would not be the same. I will be patient, but as you know noise and traffic is not what I am used to.

- Not very clear

* This is a very popular saying, used to express a persons feeling of boredom.

Translation of another letter. It was sent to the survivors of Carter Salem who lived in Canada. The author was closely linked to relatives in Lebanon and was seeking documentation that would support Khatter Saleem Moufarrege’s name change to Carter Salem. The authors name was YOUSSEFF LAHOOD MOUFARREGE and his son was the doctor who resided in Canada.)

URBAIN STREET CLINIQUE OF PLASTIC SURGERY INC
3875 ST-URBAIN SUITE 802
MONTREAL H2W1V1 TEL 854-6119- 845-5110

JEAN-APUL BOGGE MD
JACQUES PAPILLON M.D
GILLES BEAURSQARD MD
RICHARD MOUFARREGE MD

Our beloved cousins, sons of KHATTAR SALEEM MOUFARREGE:

A while past since our last communication, and since we learned of the death of your father, and we repeat our deepest condolences.

We are now is Montreal Canada at our son RICHARD who specializes is plastic surgery in Montreal (a change from the constant bombing).

We hoped to visit you, but we ran into some difficulties obtaining visas to the United States, maybe our son RICHARD the doctor maybe able to visit you, because he is a Canadian citizen.

Now I am obligated to trouble you with an issue that concerns both parties. We hope you can supply us with a statement in Arabic signed by the Lebanese consulate proofing that the CARTER SALEM is KHATTAR SALEEM MOUFARREGE, please update us on YOUSEF’S health, last we knew he was not able to leave his bed.

I have great hope that I would receive that statement from you, prior to me leaving Canada early October.

Allow me to give you an idea of what the statement should read:

WE THE UNDERSIGNED SONS OF CARTER SALEM, WHO DIED IN _______(Place)_________ ON ______(Date)_______

HERBY TESTIFY THAT OUR FATHER CARTER SALEM WAS ALSO NAMED KHATTAR SALEEM MOUFARREGE…

Please send my regards to all your family member and YOUSSEFF’S family, I have no doubt that you will provide me with what I am asking for, I have heard nothing but good things about your dedication to helping family members, that is something we are all proud of.

My family sends their regards and kisses.

Your cousin

YOUSSEFF LAHOOD MOUFARREGE.

Address:
Richard Moufarrege, MD
1025 east Sherbroake
Montreal H2L1L4, Candaa 514-525-4784