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From the members of BHS70’s
A Tribute to
Mr. Albert Kamel Abou Khalil
On behalf of Debi and Linda, and the members of BHS 70’s community I am
honoured to present this tribute to the life and time of Mr. Albert Kamel
Abou Khalil to his wife Amal, his daughters Juhaina, Samar, Nahia, and
Sana; and his extended family.
The tributes contained in this dossier honour a man who has influenced the
lives and times of more than a generation of BHS graduates. Men and women
who attended this great institution of learning, and have grown to become
leaders. Men and women of stature, due to a large extent to the man that
they pay homage to herein.
In the process of compiling this collection of tributes from old scholars
who attended BHS, from the 1940’s to the 1990’s, it became clear that
one common theme runs throughout. Albert Kamel was revered by all. Most
talk about his dedication and honesty. You will read how Mr. Kamel, as
hard and uncompromising as he was on the exterior, was soft and
compassionate inside. You will see the man as he was from different
perspectives, and you will learn how Mr. Kamel, the eternal sportsman,
educator, mentor, disciplinarian, icon, and surrogate father, influenced
so many peoples’ lives.
On a personal note, I first met Mr. and Mrs. Kamel as an 11 year old
child. My parents dropped me off at BHS one day in September 1967, and
left. In an instant, from being safe and secure at home, I was a boarder
staying at the Junior House where Mr. and Mrs. Kamel were the
Housemasters. It didn’t take long though before I felt at home again.
I remember one night, as kids are at that age, I and a couple of roommates
were bouncing up and down on a bed, and the next thing I remember is
waking up at the Kamel’s residence down the hall. I’d been knocked
unconscious by someone’s elbow. To this day I don’t know how long I
was out for, but what I do remember, when I came to, is the love and
attention I was receiving, and the obvious concern that were on the faces
of Mr. and Mrs. Kamel.
As I grew up Mr. Kamel featured greatly in my progress at BHS, and I grew
to respect and admire him.
When I came back to Brummana, in 1999, after a 24 year absence, I
inevitably bumped into Mr. and Mrs. Kamel. I was amazed that he remembered
me. Although over those years I always remembered this rock of a man, I
didn’t imagine he’d have a thought for me. And yet he not only
remembered me; he stood there, and without expecting to see me, started
reminding me of incidents involving me, from 24 years ago, that I had
completely forgotten about. He remembered my interests at school, what
sports I enjoyed, what I excelled at, and what I was useless at. He then
invited me to his house so that he could continue his reminiscence with
me. I saw a side of him that was not apparent to me while at school.
Mr. Kamel served BHS and its students in the true spirit of “I Serve”
for over 50 years. Now, generations of BHS old scholars come back to say:
thank you Mr. Kamel.
Sarmad Al-Wadi
Class of ‘76
It was with great sadness and sorrow that I read in Al-Nahar about the passing away of our dearest Mr. Albert.
In my name, and in the name of all my brothers, Tony, Victor, Johnny, Robert; and sister Myrna, I want to extend
my deepest condolences and sadness and sorrow for the passing away of Mr. Albert and pray to God to let his soul
rest in Peace and to give all his Family Members and his Colleagues at BHS the strength to cope with this great
loss and the big emptiness that Albert has created with his leaving us.
Late Mr. Albert was the father and mentor to thousands of students who attended Brummana High School during
the past over 50 years, and who attended to their physical and mental well being. Late Albert Kamel meant a lot to me.
I have lived with Albert during the winter school days as his students... and during the summer days assisting him in
the Tennis Tournaments and the Brummana Sports Club... and at the beginning of every scholastic year I used to assist
him in getting the prescribed schoolbooks for the school bookshop.
My deepest and most sincere condolences to his lovely wife Amal and his lovely daughters Juhaina, Samar, Nahia, and
Sana, and to his brother Jamil, and to his sister Mrs. Rene Baz (wife of late Mr. Najib Baz) and her sons Rabie and
Sabah, and daughters Ne'mat and Rima. My deepest and most sincere condolences to the OSA Board and the School
Administration and Teachers and to all the School friends and Albert's friends.
With the passing away of Mr. Albert, I felt like it was the end of an era in Brummana High School history.
May his Soul rest in Peace.
Charly Mathia
Class of '68
I am deeply saddened by this news. Mr. Kamel (or Al, as I lovingly called him) was always a very special man.
Words fail me at this stage to describe what a great man Albert Kamel was and how much he will be missed.
He was always a father to all of us and I am sure he is now with God in heaven.
My condolences to his direct family (wife and children) and to his indirect family (everyone who went to BHS) and
may he rest in peace.
I ask you as a fellow Old Scholar to do me this favor and forward my Condolences to the Abu Khalil's.
This is truly a sad day for me.
Joey S. Tawil
Class of '90
We are sorry to hear the sad news about the late Mr Kamel. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to his family.
From Kamal F Abou Fadel
Class of '72
My sadness at hearing the news about Albert Kamel, he was one of the big characters of BHS,
my condolences to his family.
Simon Green
Class of '76
I am sorry to hear about Albert Kamel's death. I do remember him well. He was, as you say a huge influence on some
of us, including myself.
Please pass on my heartfelt condolences to his family.
William Kattan
Class of '66
I am so sorry to hear the sad news about Mr. Kamel.
I can only remember him as a very decent gentleman who was always nurturing and supportive during my years under
his care in the early 1970s.
My sincere condolences to Mrs. Kamel and their daughters.
Omar Gharzeddine
Class of '79
NY
The late Mr. Kamel was mostly remembered by a great majority of Old Scholars as "Mr. Sports" as he was famed for
his "Shorts & T-Shirt", and his encouragement of all sporting events during "All Seasons"!
But... Mr. Kamel was much more than that... and as "Dean of Students", positively influenced the lives of almost
all Old Scholars I know.
I was not much of a sportsman (enjoyed Cheering & Watching!!!!... and was more interested in Movies
& Drama!!!). My interest in movies on one occasion brought me close to Mr. Kamel when his guidance, caring and
sense of humour combined in teaching me a good lesson!
On one of the cold winter evenings, I was walking back from "Cinema Aida" back to school with some friends, and
for some strange reason decided to join them in a smoke, despite the fact that I was a non-smoker at the time!
Unaware, Mr. Kamel was walking up to us and saw my/our "cigarette's glow"! My friends immediately threw away
& stomped their cigarette butts... but my confused reaction (being a novice at smoking!), was to curl it inside
my hand... and into my pocket! Mr. Kamel caught on... and as he approached me... he very pleasantly started a drawn
out conversation about the movie... what was it... who were the actors... who was the hero... what was the plot...
etc!!!! Until... the cigarette butt started burning me... which brought an anguished cry from me... and a hearty
laugh from him!!!!
From that day on, I never smoked at BHS... and became a late-smoker... at my second year at University!!!
Mr. Kamel combined love, caring and discipline in his approach to students... and earned their respect and
love......
He was the ULTIMATE "Dean of Students"!!! He will be remembered fondly.
May he rest in Peace.
Ibrahim G. Qamar
Class of '73
Please pass on our condolences to Mrs. Kamel on behalf of my brother and myself. My brother John and I fondly
remember him.
Peter Hadchity
Class of '75
Please give our condolences to all members of his family. We all loved him, he will be badly missed.
Hagop Kaprelian
Class of '78
We are very sad to hear that, Mr. Kamel was a great man, and we shall remember him as such, may his soul
rest in peace.
Our condolences to his family.
Charles A. Haddad
I am saddened to hear of the passing of The Dean, Mr. Albert Kamel. As a young tearaway at BHS in the early 70s I
remember him well as a man who was tough but also fair, ready to castigate the smallest misdemeanour, while always
approachable and receptive on serious matters.
He taught me right from wrong.
A very good man.
Greg Wilks
Class of '77
Great Teacher, Great man, Great leader. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
He is resting now.
Ziad Abufadel & Family
Class of '73
To Mrs. Kamel and family: I was so sad to hear the bad news. I always looked up to Mr. Kamel as a father figure.
He was such a great Dean of Students in my days at Brummana.
May God rest his soul in peace.
Moussa Abou-Khater
Class of '76
Please convey my deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Kamel and his friends. My thoughts are with them.
He was a great guy.
Moussa Namih and Family
Class of '67
The passing of Mr. Kamel is especially sad for me as he represented a strong link for me between BHS, my late
father Yousef Khoury who was his student - and always spoke so highly of him - as well as myself in the early
1980s.
He was a man of integrity who cared for the students and served BHS at the highest level all his life.
My condolences go to his family whom I have high regard and respect for.
Ziad Y. Khoury
Orlando, Florida USA
BHS 1979 to 1985
I was devastated by the passing of Mr. Kamel. His stern countenance was a mask underneath which was a kind, gentle
and loving soul. I can still hear his voice "Miss Zureikat, come back to the dorm".
We had a strong bond him and I although he never admitted to it, until one day he told me "Dina, I have 2 girls
and my wife is expecting, if I should have a girl I would surely name her Dina."
God bless his soul, I shall always remember him.
My deepest condolences to Mrs. Kamel and his family.
Dina Zureikat Shamoun
Class of '74
On behalf of myself and my brothers and sister (who all attended BHS and knew Mr. Kamel) I wish to relay my deepest
condolences to Mrs. Kamel & all family and BHS for this great loss. During the early sixties I was a boarder at BHS
and staying under the supervision of Mr. & Mrs. Kamel, during the period I was in primary school, I remember
Mr. & Mrs. Kamel used to gather us around their TV, also Mr. Kamel used to teach us Physical Education (P.E.)
and swimming classes, it was great!!!
Mr Kamel (may peace be upon him) had good influence on many students especially in sports and many other activities.
I was in Waldmier and I remember Mr. Kamel handled and supervised all our Sports. He was a solid man, a good man,
professional teacher, handled all his students with Mrs. Kamel in a professional and presentable manner and as
their own sons and daughters. I am sure he will be remembered for many years to come by many of his students
especially during the late fifties and sixties.
May I relay my deepest condolences again to all and may God have mercy on him.
Bassam Diab
BHS graduate 1971 (1960-1971)
On behalf of:
Rima Diab BHS graduate 1972
Fawaz Diab BHS graduate 1972 (1960-1972)
Dr Hassan Diab BHS student between 1970 -1976
Mr. Kamel was my idol.
Nabil. R. Shagoury
Class of '65
Mr. Kamel in my opinion was the symbol of BHS. Many of us remember him as a "father figure" during our studying
period in the 60's - 70's. I had the pleasure to see him 3 years ago during my visit to the school and it was very
clear to me then that the man has dedicated his life in serving the school and town that he loved. God bless his
soul.
Nabil Behbehani
Class of '79
Dear BHS old & new and future scholars,
It took a person like Albert Kamel to make sure us the students were in good behavior. It was one hell of a tough
task for anyone to be able to keep an eye on the BHS boys & girls.
Though many of us sometimes hated Mr. Kamel's tough stand and hard words, but we all knew deep inside he was doing
this not because it was a "job" but because he was a kind and loving person and he cared. He wanted us to walk out
tall with pride at all times because he was full of pride.
I can speak for myself and say that as many of us attempted to break the rules just like any student in any school,
we all knew that he was watching one way or another.
Brummana High School missed Mr. Kamel when he retired and could not replace his presence. Now Brummana the school
and community will miss him dearly.
I tried looking for photos that I might have taken with Mr. Kamel but sadly I wasn't able to find any.
From me to all of you, my deepest condolences.
God is taking real good care of Mr. Kamel in heaven.
Sincerely
Eddy Esho
Class of '78
Dear Friends and Old Scholars,
All of my family including my Mother as well as my brothers send our deepest condolences to Mr. Kamel's family.
Both him, Mrs. Kamel as well as their children, have always been in our hearts and have always been considered
part of our family and history. My mother in particular would like to send a big hug to Mrs. Kamel.
Luna, Thamer ('76), Youssef ('79), Ahmed ('79) and Oussama ('80) ARAB
My sympathy goes to the family and also friends of Mr. Albert Kamel whom I remember as a very tolerant, patient
and gentle man, even though I was only 6 years old. It is amazing how important people are in our early lives,
and I am certain that others enjoyed his good character.
God bless his soul.
Murad Bayzid
Class of '76
Dear Mrs. Abu Khalil,
I was deeply saddened at the news of Albert's demise. May god rest his soul in peace.
I realize how deeply this loss affects you and your family and wish you to know that our thoughts are with you
at this difficult time.
I extend to you and your family my deep condolences and commiseration on your tragic loss.
Khaled Ahmed Juffali
Class of '78
Albert Kamel was not only a model for Quakers. He was also a model for everyone at BHS. In all my years there,
I never heard him say anything bad about anyone. Quakers talk about "that of God in every man". Albert showed
it and Albert saw it in others.
We are all better people for having known him and, please God, we will learn to live in the spirit he showed us.
May God grant him eternal rest and strength to his family to bear their loss.
John Kirkbright
English teacher and Housemaster 1964 - 1971
I have known Mr. Kamel for a long time, and he played a very important role in my life. Not only was he a member
of the BHS staff: to me he was more... he was a friend and a father.
How should I start: I come from a moderate family; we were 6 children. To help me pay my school fee, Mr Kamel
gave me a job in the bookshop; a job I did along with my studies. It did not end here... In summer and for 3
consecutive seasons he helped convince the Brummana Tennis club members to give me a job as man in charge on
the tennis fields.
Here is a joke: It was once in his car (an old iron-made Desoto), on the way to his mother's house who lived
near the post office. We were near Kanaan's when he noticed another car, coming down the hill, trying to bypass
another car exactly near a very
dangerous curve some 100 meters further up. The oncoming car bypassed the other exactly in the turn and had
to go over the lane coming towards us and at such a speed. Mr. Kamel exclaimed: "Hold your seat... I'm going to
ram him"! This scared me (and the car driver) out of my wits and the poor man had to return to his lane very quickly!
Mr. Kamel, calm in his seat and quite sure we were safe enough in his armored car, looked at me and laughed.
"This should teach him a lesson he said"... and I'm sure it did!
I have known Mr. Kamel and his family for a long time, especially the young ladies whom I carried in my lap.
They were more than a family to me, as well as for all those children who lived in the "junior-house", the place
I acted as master on duty several times and where Mr. Kamel's family lived.
May the lord bless his soul and keep his family. May his wife Mrs. Kamel find the courage and patience to keep
up his work... for she had stood by his side all his life and blessed all those who knew their family with the
sweetest touch of kindness.
We shall remember you Albert... you have been a father to many of us.
Abdo Nawfal
Class of '73
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