With deep love and heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Sameh Henri Dalati, lovingly known as Sammy, on May 31, 2025. He was 78 years old.
Born in Cairo, Egypt, Sameh lived a life that gracefully spanned cultures and continents. His family relocated to Beirut, Lebanon, where Sameh spent his formative years as a teen, developing numerous lifelong friendships while there. He then made his way to Montreal, Canada, where he completed both his Bachelor and Masters degrees at the Universite de Montreal. After marrying his loving wife Leila, he eventually made his home in Mobile, Alabama, where he became a beloved member of the community, and a cherished friend to many, for nearly 50 years. Sameh began his professional life in international trade, developing new business for Alabama’s forestry products. His career took him all over the world, as he developed export markets across the Caribbean, Africa, and the Philippines, amongst others. He then answered a much deeper calling to education, first teaching International Business at the University of South Alabama, and then ultimately his beloved French language at Bayside, UMS and St. Paul’s, touching the lives of many students along the way. His love for learning and teaching shaped not only his career but also his relationships—he was a natural mentor and quiet guide, embodying patience, curiosity, and discipline in every interaction. His passions were many: an ocean swim; a new book; a thoughtful film; gourmet food savored slowly; admiring art at the museum. He loved travel, learning, teaching, and anything shared over good bread and better conversation. He approached life with elegance and grace, and his presence was always kind, witty, open-minded, and deeply mindful. You could set your watch by Sameh’s rituals: a sneaky Egg McMuffin every Saturday at 7:30 AM, the national news at 5:30 PM sharp, dinner at 6 PM—no one up until everyone was finished. His weekends were lovingly devoted to calling friends and family, catching up with his siblings, and reconnecting with loved ones near and far. He relished BNO (boys’ night out) at Wintzell’s Oyster House with his best friends and always ended a good meal with a piece of bread and cheese—his version of a delicacy. Sameh’s values were timeless: education, presence, patience, kindness, and savoring the simple pleasures of life. He is survived by his devoted wife, Leila Dalati, and their children Roy (Kate), Steven (Amanda), and Nadine Dalati. His legacy continues through his grandchildren—Rocco, Julian, Lucian, and Dorian Dalati—who carry his gentleness and light. He is also survived by his siblings: Lola Bonvin (and her daughter Carine), Amal Dalati, Eglal Dalati, and his dearest cousin Fouad Dalati. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Desiree and Henri Dalati. Sameh found great joy in community, often participating in events like the St. Jude Golf Tournament and silent auction with the Southern Federation of Syrian Lebanese American Clubs. He loved being part of something larger than himself. As he often reminded us, “All shall be well,” after eating a delicious bite of food, his signature sound effect of the heavenly harp: drrrrlnggg, drrrrlnggg, drrrrlnggg…which was his way of saying life, when savored, is divine. May we each carry forward his kindness, his discipline, his humor, and his mindful way of being. And may we all pause, just once, to savor a piece of good bread and cheese in his memory.
November 8, 1946 - May 31, 2025
A memorial service on Friday, June 6, will take place at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Mobile, AL, with visitation beginning at 9 AM, and service beginning at 10 AM.
