Ibrahim R. Toury
Ibrahim R. Toury, 87, passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 29 at St. Clair Hospital in Pittsburgh.
He was born to Ramadan and Nafiseh Al-Toury, (Toury Family), on September 11, 1937 in the Holy Land. During his childhood, he was a proud resident of East Jerusalem. At the age of 19, he came to the United States, through Ellis Island and received US citizenship several years later.
Ibrahim was a 1964 graduate of City College of New York where he studied Business Administration and Journalism.
He married Andrea Lee Pecora and they had one daughter, Yara. After their separation, he married his second wife, Kathleen, in 1980 in Uniontown, PA.
Ibrahim worked in Journalism in the late 60’s and after his first marriage became a Country Club Manager at both Youghiogheny and Nemacolin Country Clubs. He was known for his professional demeanor, dashing charm, and charitable heart. Ibrahim loved water and in the late 70’s, purchased Brier Hill Lake, where he and Kathleen resided until the Summer of 2024. Many happy years were spent at the lakeside property, playing with his German Shepherds, working on his tractors, tinkering in his garage, nursing his tomato plants, and watching fisherman from his porch chair. He enjoyed meeting new people and over the years became a well respected and recognized member of the Fayette County Community. His sense of humor and broken English always made everyone smile. Aside from the lake, his second passion was a love for his homeland of Palestine and yearning to one day return and break bread with his family.
He is predeceased by his first wife Andrea in 1986, and second wife, Kathleen in 2024. He is survived by daughter, Yara Toury in Canonsburg; sisters, Ishirah and Mufidah; predeceased by brothers, Hamed, Muhhamed; sisters, Amirah, Munarah, Shafikah.
Grandchildren of he and Kathy include: Don Lotz, Cristin Lotz, Jennifer Gessner, Jodi Gessner, Garrison Vanzin, Persephone Hall, and Mason McCall.
In addition, two nephews in California — Adel and Ihab Toury; Grandson, James Toury of San Francisco; nephew, Dr. Jamal Toury of NYC; stepdaughter, Michelle Gessner of White Oak, PA and stepson, Donald Lotz, of Upper St. Clair, PA.
Ibrahim’s extended family also includes numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins in the Holy Land, Jordan, and Egypt.
Family, friends, and others were invited to the MCCGP Muslim Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, for simple ceremony in the Islamic Tradition to honor Ibrahim. MCCGP is located at 233 Seaman Lane, Monroeville, PA 15146. Services were held Tuesday, December 31 followed by afternoon prayers. Afterwards, burial took place at Restland Memorial Park, (990 Patton Street Extension, Monroeville, PA 15146).
Arrangements entrusted to the Leo J. Henney Funeral Home, Carnegie. www.leohenneyfuneralhome.com