RAAFAT, SAID AHMED - 1930 - 2011 - Said Ahmed Raafat passed away peacefully in Edmundston, NB on July 21, 2011 surrounded by family and friends. He was born on January 16, 1930 in Montpellier, France to the late Simone (née Féline, Bordeaux, France) and Abdel Moneim Raafat (Zagazig, Egypt). He graduated from Hotel School in Lausanne, Switzerland. Said had a distinguished career in the hotel business where we he worked his way up from waiter to manager in hotels in Switzerland, Egypt, Germany, Austria, Puerto Rico, Martinique, St.Lucia, Barbados, Antigua and Canada. While working in Germany, he met his future wife Brigitte (née Wolf, Erfurt, Germany) in a café. He was multi-lingual speaking French, English, German, Arabic, Spanish, Italian and Greek. His career included the opening of the Cairo Hilton, the Cairo Tower, the Wharf Inn (Newcastle) and the Delta Brunswick (Saint John). When he first immigrated to Canada he worked at the Queen Elizabeth in Montreal. Said was the manager of the Holiday Inn (Saint John) and the Lord Beaverbrook (Fredericton). He completed his career teaching hotel business at the community college in Edmundston. He was a member of the international Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, a St.Basile town councilor for two terms and a volunteer with the local community computer centre. His favourite things included food and wine, music, playing cards, vacations in the south of France, and being with family and friends. He is survived by his wife and his son Tarek of Ottawa; his sister Nemet “Kiki” Raafat, his nephew Karim Ibrahim and his niece May Afifi all of Cairo, Egypt; and his niece Hilaira Raafat of Sutton, QC. He is predeceased by his son Karim, his sister Ismet Raafat of Cairo, Egypt and his brother Ismael “Milou” Raafat of Sutton, QC.
As per his request not to mourn his passing, there will be a celebration of his life to be held on Saturday August 20, 2011 starting at 5pm at his home. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, a donation to the Edmundston Regional Hospital Foundation or a charity of choice would be appreciated. The family would like to thank the staff of the Edmundston Regional Hospital for their care and support.