Obituary for 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).
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).