DEARBORN — Many in the local Arab American community are continuing to grieve the loss of a former Dearborn resident, who was killed in Beirut, Lebanon last week during a terrorist attack. 

A sign in Lebanon written in Arabic in remembrance of Ghamlouch and other victims of the bomb attack

Hussein Ghamlouch, 52, was one of more than 20 people killed Thursday, Aug. 15, in what is being called one of the country’s deadliest bombing attacks in years. 

Ghamlouch, who lived in Canada, had traveled to Lebanon to get married to a woman there. He had arrived in Lebanon on Tuesday and the bombing occurred Thursday, only two days later. 

“My brother was so kind.  He loved his family and was devoted to them,” said Ghamlouch’s sister, Mahasen Saad of Dearborn.

Hussein Ghamlouch, 52,

Saad said that she had spoken to Ghamlouch while he was at the airport, preparing to leave for Lebanon.  

She explained that he was excited and enthusiastic about getting married.  Ghamlouch was previously divorced and had been engaged for about seven months to a woman, who was about 40 years old. He planned on bringing her back to Canada to live with him. 

Ghamlouch was born in Lebanon and moved to Canada over two decades ago. He came to Dearborn nearly 10 years ago and lived in the area for about five years, before returning to Canada.

Family members say Ghamlouch was only living in Dearborn temporarily on a work permit. Saad thanked the local Arab American community for its support. She says many people   reached out to the family, following the attack.

According to a report, Ghamlouch’s fiancée picked him up from the airport when he arrived in Lebanon.  The day the blast occurred, the couple was expected to have a pre-wedding dinner. When Ghamlouch didn’t show up for the dinner, a family member went to look for him, after hearing about the bombing.  That family member later identified his body, which was reportedly found along with the ring he had purchased for his fiancée. Ghamlouch owned the Marlin Travel Agency in Edmonton, Canada for four years. 

Ghamlouch’s body being carried in a casket to a burial site in Lebanon

More than 300 people were injured in the attack. A Sunni Islamist group claimed responsibility for the attack, and promised further action against Hizbullah, because of its support for Syria’s President Bashar Assad. 

Ghamlouch is survived by his four children and other relatives. According to Mahasen, the children are ages 27, 23, 17 and 16. He has two daughters and two sons. “He was such a big hearted guy, and he was a family man,” said Alaa Saad, Ghamlouch’s nephew. 

Ghamlouch was buried in Lebanon.  A memorial service will be held locally for him on Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Islamic Institute of Knowledge, located at 6345 Schaefer Road in Dearborn. It starts at 4 p.m. One of Ghamlouch’s sons is expected to give a speech on his father’s life during the service. Another service is expected to take place the same day 7 p.m. at the Islamic Council of America located at 6941 Schaefer Road in Dearborn. It is being held in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the attack, and is open to the public.