ABOUNADER, Silbe (Coach)

Abounader, Slibe "Coach" Slibe "Coach" Abounader, 82, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2003. He was born Sept. 1, 1921 in Miami, AZ, but spent most of his life in Phoenix. He attended Phoenix Union High School. He joined the Navy in 1942, and during his career he served on the USS Boxer & received the rank of Lt. Commander & retired from the service in 1985. He received his bachelor's degree in 1948 and master's degree in 1962 from Arizona State University. He was a life-long member of St. Mary's Basilica and an alumnus of Phoenix College and Arizona State University. Hired by Phoenix College President, Robert Hannelly in 1963, he was a devoted tennis coach and assistant basketball coach until retiring in 1983. His love and dedication to his students and his skill as a teacher was highly recognized throughout the valley. He also was an exceptional tennis player and was a ranking sen-ior tennis player in the Southwest Division, capturing many single and doubles championships. Uncle Slibe also played in the Senior Olympics. His athletic ability started as a young boy playing basketball for The Republic & Gazette industrial league. He put himself through high school and coll-ege selling newspapers. While attending Phoenix College, he played basketball for "Dutch" Hoy for which the stadium is now named. He was voted MVP of the Year for scoring 44 points in two consecutive games and was awarded the coveted Kilpatrick Trophy. As he grew older, he became a world traveler where he met many new friends. But of all the things he acquired during his life, his most prized possession was his family. He is survived by five nieces, eleven nephews and twenty-seven great nieces and nephews and their children, and many, many friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, Edna Karam Abounader; father, Paul Abounader; four sisters; Selma Itule, Mary Thompson, Rosaleen Taylor and little Cecelia; three brothers; Tommie, Charlie and little Joseph. Although his stature was small to some, he was large in heart and always there to listen and assist with advice or help. He was always looking for a niece or nephew to be a competitor on the tennis court that he so dearly loved. We'll always love and miss you, our dear Uncle Slibe. A special "thank you" to Dan and Corina Feher for taking such wonderful care of our "uncle" and the love you gave him will never be forgotten. At ease, Uncle Slibe....until we meet again. A Memorial Mass will be held Thursday, December 11 2003, at 10:00 A.M., at St. Mary's Basilica Catholic Church, 231 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, AZ. Interment will be at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th St., Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, 2411 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281-6942, or St. Mary's Basilica. Arrangements by Whitney & Murphy Arcadia Funeral Home. Published in the Arizona Republic on 12/7/2003.