Marcel Nissim Behar, age 90 passed away peacefully on May 25, 2015 (one day before his 60th wedding anniversary) surrounded by his family at his home in Laguna Woods, CA. He was born in Alexandria, Egypt on Dec. 7, 1924 to Leontine Franco Behar and Michel Nissim Behar. Marcel attended the renowned Victoria College Boys School in Alexandria, Egypt, graduating with his Oxford and Cambridge higher certificates. He went on to receive his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Birmingham University in England.

Marcel had a colorful and well-lived life. He spoke 6 languages fluently and was a seasoned traveller. He was the first participant from Egypt in a Winter Olympic sport when he competed in the 1948 Olympic downhill ski trials in Sweden, receiving an edict from King Farouk granting him permission to represent Egypt at the Olympics.. In 1951 Marcel and his sister Simone left Egypt to relocate to Canada. He married Shirley Chicorel Behar in 1955 and settled in Detroit where he worked for Ford Motor Co. and Eaton Corp., authoring several patents. He became very active in the Sephardic Community of Greater Detroit assisting spiritual leaders (his in-laws) Jacob and Judith Chicorel. Marcel took a 2 year international assignment in 1964, moving his young family to Antwerp, Belgium. With Marcel behind the wheel, together, they explored much of post war Europe.

He was an avid backgammon player many years before it became popular in the U.S. and taught his young children to play shesh besh to have someone to play with.

Marcel was the treasurer and financial chair of the Sephardic Community of Greater Detroit for over 30 years. Through his financial leadership he helped grow the initial funds for the purchase of the land on which Keter Torah Synagogue was built and became one of its founding members.

An expert on Sephardic Jewry and Middle East affairs, Marcel was a frequent lecturer throughout metro Detroit and later in Orange County CA. He was able to speak on any topic for hours at a time completely from memory, never using notecards. He was a regular speaker at Hechtman West Bloomfield for many years and was enjoyed by all the seniors who attended his talks. He appeared in newspapers and on television as an expert on Middle East affairs, and was a pioneer in Arab Jewish relations in Metro Detroit, participating in many early organizations to build understanding amongst the sides. He was a Sephardic Jew who spoke fluent Arabic, and could read, but not speak Hebrew.

Marcel always had a curious intellect and until his last days he thoroughly enjoyed reading about history and keeping up with world affairs.

Marcel instilled in his children the importance of a good education and the desire to travel and experience the world. He was a devoted father and family man and said many times that his greatest accomplishment in life were his children, whom he deeply loved and adored. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his sister Simone Behar Nemon and leaves behind his wife, Shirley Sarah Chicorel Behar and children, David Robinson (Doris) of Calgary, Alberta, Marc Behar (Jeff Sbisa) of New Orleans LA, Jerome Behar (Leslie) of Los Altos, CA, Richard Behar (Nigist "TG") of Farmington Hills, Lisa Behar Greenberg (Richie) of San Francisco, CA and grandchildren Joseph, Jacob, Daniel, Nissim and Lily Behar.

It is suggested that those who wish to further honor the memory of Marcel Nissim Behar may do so by making a contribution to:

Keter Torah Synagogue

In memory of Marcel Behar

5480 Orchard Lake Road

West Bloomfield, MI 48323

248-681-3665

http://www.ketertorah.us