Tanios Daher

“.. When your father dies…

Your sun shifts forever

And you walk in his light”

-Diana Der-Hovanessian

Mr. Tanios Francis Daher, of Westwood Massachusetts. Born in Darbessim Lebanon to Francis Raphael Daher and Hanneh Sader. He was the second youngest and the last surviving sibling of eight.

From a very young age he showed great interest in education and learning. He was the first in his family to graduate from college and become an educator. He was always known as “teacher’ in his hometown. Mr. Daher taught Arabic literature and language to many generations in and around the City of Sidon in South Lebanon. He also served as principal of his hometown’s public school for many where his tireless work to improve the quality of teaching and graduation rates is still remembered to this day. He continued to strive to support his beloved Darbessim and her inhabitants all through his life. He was instrumental in driving a fundraising campaign that allowed the town to complete the construction of a large and modern new church. He has initiated the church building project as a young trustee of the church in the 1970s and was gratified to have seen its completion through his mentorship of the younger generations of trustees and town leaders..

Tanios’ foremost love and dedication was to his wife, Hind Abdelmassih Daher (of Westwood), and children, Shadi Daher and his wife Milagros Serrano (of Westwood, MA), Colette Chukrallah and her husband George Chukrallah (of Somerset, NJ), Salam Daher (of Framingham, MA), Nadine Daher (of Framingham, MA) and Majed Daher and his wife Beatrice Tannous Daher (of Norwood, MA). His love for his family helped him make the difficult decision to leave his career in education (at the age of 51), and immigrate with the entire family to Massachusetts in 1985 due to the escalating war in his beloved Lebanon. The extended family landed in Worcester, MA, where they found a generous and warm welcoming community of Lebanese expats and friends. Mr. Daher changed careers and worked tirelessly not only to help support his family but also to learn the English language so he can enjoy all his new home country could offer.

Mr. Daher’s other big love was his books. He was heartbroken to have lost his library in the fighting in Lebanon but resolved to acquire as many of his old and precious books as he could. He was rarely seen without one of his books in hand, some of which he reread countless times.

He was always proud of his children and unfailingly demanding that they strive to be the best they can be. His many words and sayings will forever be engrained in his children’s and students’ conscience.

The greatest joy of Mr. Daher’s life was his seven grandchildren:  Lauren, Paul and Carlie Chukrallah of Somerset, NJ. Anthony, Gabriela and Hannah Daher of Westwood, MA and Matthew Daher of Norwood, MA. His whole world revolved around them and their mere presence gave him absolute joy, hope and even strength.

Mr. Daher, “Baba”,  ”Istaz Tanios”,  “Abou Shadi” and “Jiddo” will be terribly missed and will forever live in his children and grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the:  Darbessim Relief Organization 66A Riverdale St. Methuen, MA 01844.

Tanios' Funeral Mass was Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon Church in Jamaica Plain. Visiting hours were held Friday, January 13, 2023 from 4-8 p.m. at the Kfoury Keefe Funeral Home 8 Spring St. (at the corner of Centre St.) WEST ROXBURY. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

Tanios was laid to rest at Mt. Benedict Cemetery in West Roxbury.

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