Ibrahim B. Hanna

Honorary Counselor Ibrahim (Abe) B. Hanna
Greatness is not to live forever, but to create things that will.

Ibrahim B. Hanna, 87, of Salem, NH, passed away on June 18, 2021, at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, MA.
He was born in Karkha, Jezzine (Lebanon) on December 5, 1934, the son of Bechara and Nazira Hanna. He is survived by his spouse, Layla Tannous, and his two sons, George and Charlie, and their spouses, Ann and Tania. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Ryan, Layal, Ibrahim, and Taline.

Ibrahim was a dedicated, respected, and loved figure in his tenure in Lebanon’s Ministry of Justice and Notary Public. He served the government and the people equally. His success and dedication earned him the respect and friendship of those who knew him including presidents, parliament speakers, prime ministers, and centers of the political and diplomatic powers and religious leaders.

At the start of the civil war in 1975, he moved with his family to the United States where he advanced his diplomatic and entrepreneurial skills to unprecedented levels. He ventured in the business of introducing the Lebanese traditional foods to the American consumer by founding the nationally recognized Cedar’s Foods. He made the Cedar’s symbol a common household name and expanded it outside the US borders, creating equal opportunity employment to both new emigrants and U.S. citizens alike.

Recognizing the need for a consulate in the New England area, he used his abilities to establish a new Honorary Consulate for Lebanon. In 2005, he was appointed by the Lebanese President to become the first Honorary Consul of Lebanon for the New England states. He personally financed the consulate to serve the Lebanese American community and provide them with all their legal and administrative needs. He also promoted essential and vital causes including the right to citizenship for Lebanese emigrants and their descendants, the right to vote abroad, and the necessity for integrating the Lebanese community into the American society.

For Ibrahim, charity had no borders. He continued with his charitable efforts by offering financial help to the needy in the U.S. and Lebanon both directly or through charitable and religious organizations. This financial aid was supported by his personal trust and his family’s funds.

He may be gone, but his memory will not fade and his legacy will be there forever.

In lieu of flowers, the Hanna Family suggests charitable donations be made to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to calling hours on Friday, June 25, 2021, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Street in Methuen, MA. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, June 26, at 11:00 AM, at Saint Joseph Melkite Church, 241 Hampshire Street in Lawrence, MA. A mercy meal will take place at following the funeral services at DiBurro’s Function Facility, 887 Boston Road in Haverhill, MA.