Ghassan Selman, a native of Lebanon, wanted to travel to the U.S. to study since he was a young boy, but his father wouldn’t allow it. He was finally able to make the journey in his 20s, just before civil war broke out in his home country.
He wanted to enroll in a school and study, said his daughter Samantha Selman, who lives in Atlanta. He picked then-Kennesaw Junior College, but it was challenging because he spoke no English. He supported himself working in restaurants while pursuing his education and learning the language.
“He definitely didn’t take the easy way,” said his wife, Dianne Selman of Atlanta. “But he ended up speaking three languages, Arabic, English and French.”
Ghassan Adib Selman, of Atlanta, died suddenly Friday after experiencing cardiac arrest. He was 60. His body was cremated and a memorial service is planned for 3 p.m. Jan. 21 at The Petite Auberge. R.T. Patterson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
While in the states, Mr. Selman thrived on hard work and encouraging others, friends and family said. He was an optimistic man, who loved people.
“He had love for people in general, even when they made him mad,” his daughter said. “He believed in people. And he taught me to have faith in people.”
Mr. Selman left the junior college before returning a few years later and earned an accounting degree from Kennesaw State University.
“He was always very good in math,” his daughter said. “Initially I think he was trying to become an engineer, like his father, but then he stumbled into accounting and he was good at following the numbers.”
At the time of his death, Mr. Selman was employed by JHM Hotels as a night auditor for two of the company’s Atlanta-area properties. He also had at least three side jobs, his wife said.
“He worked a lot,” she said. “But I think he did it because it brought him joy. He was used to working hard, and it wasn’t a burden for him.”
Mr. Selman’s affinity for work was likely instilled in him during childhood, said Dr. Abdallah E. Najjar, a friend. Both men hailed from the Druze community in Lebanon, Dr. Najjar said, which endeared Mr. Selman to him.
Dr. Najjar received help from Mr. Selman and others to help establish a chapter of the American Druze Society in Atlanta.
Mr. Selman was proud of his heritage and his faith, believing the latter would open lines of communication and break down walls of discrimination, his daughter said.
“He always said the most important thing was to have faith, and it didn’t matter the religion you subscribe to, as long as you had faith,” Ms. Selman said. “You can have faith in people, faith in yourself, faith in the future.”
Mr. Selman also is survived by his parents, Adib and Nazha Selman of Lebanon; brothers, Fawzi Selman of Abu Dhabi and Wassim Selman of Kennesaw, and sisters, Salwa Abouchakra and Soraya Abouchakra, both of Lebanon.
About the Author
