A beauty of a photograph of Sheikh Saba (Sabin) Assaif Nassif Attiyeh taken in 1932. He did some extra work in films in Hollywood. Real deal Lawrence of Arabia here in this fine image.

Sabin Nassif came into our family when his cousin, my Uncle Floyd Nick Boutrous married my father's sister, my Aunt Dian Marcella Erickson in 1961. When that happy event occurred in Bismarck, North Dakota an incredible group of families merged together and became friends.

Some memories of Sabin Nassif by my cousin Michael Boutrous who knew Sabin well:

Sabin was a very caring, loving, generous man. He would give me various histories about everything upon my visit. Sabin’s take on the world; past, present and future. How Sabin saw things ; gruf, salty, uncensored, and legendary! Yes Sabin is my cousin. His Mother was Skundara Kellel Nassif. My brother Al knew Sabin pretty well, but Al spent more time with the dad - Sheikh Assaif. Sabin was the last of the Attiyeh Patriarchs.

Sabin Nassif was a legend in his own time. Born into the extraordinary Attiyeh Lebanese American family, Sabin's life and legacy represent the pioneer values of our cultural history. Sabin Nassif was born only a few months after the Titanic sunk, on October 17, 1912 in Albert Lee, Minnesota. The son of Sheikh George Assaif Nassif Attiyeh and his beloved Scundara Kallail.

Sabin, along with his brothers, Floyd, George and Freddie who passed in 1921, began their early life alongside their Midwestern cousins. Sabin called Minnesota and North Dakota home, but it was Iowa that held a special place in his heart. Dedicated to his Lebanese heritage and the core communities in Iowa, Sabin never forgot his special love for Cedar Rapids and the decades of memories he shared as was always considered a favorite son.

In 1931 he moved to Hollywood where he attended the University of Southern California. With a thirst for knowledge he went on to finish law school at the University of South Dakota. Along with his two brothers, Sabin enlisted in the Army and served his country throughout the war. He served on more bases than any other American soldier during the war and remained active with numerous veterans organizations.

Sabin, whose father, Sheikh George Assaif Nassif Attiyeh and mother, Wardeh Kellel Nassif were both born in Ain Arab, Lebanon, a village of a few hundred people in the foothills on the biblical Mount Lebanon. Sabin decided to follow his father's career footsteps and founded The Nassif Oriental Rug Company with locations in both Iowa and California. Sabin gained acclaim with his beloved wife, Anne, in their Hollywood carpet store as the "Carpeteers of the Stars."

Sabin and Anne were the parents of Alexis, Christopher, and Paul; grandparents of eight and great-grandparents of three. Sabin invested in many Los Angeles properties and was civic minded and contributed regularly to numerous charitable causes through his church. He also contributed to his extended family charities such as the Attiyeh Benevolent Society, founded by his father, and Alsac/St. Jude co-founded by his brother, Dr. Floyd Nassif. He was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of Al Malaikah Shriners LA and The American Legion. Sabin's remarkable enthusiasm for life which was perhaps his secret for remaining "young" despite his years.

This was written by a family member and I wanted to include it, as it speaks volumes about Sabin.

Sabin's life has passed, but we are blessed with memories of his labors, his loves and the values he cherished. He taught us that we must not look upon age as a time of weakness or frailty, but rather as a time of wonder and ongoing possibilities. Truly, age abounds with pleasure if one knows how to use it and that is perhaps the secret of Sabin's 100 years. As the great Roman scholar once said: "...declining years are among the sweetest in a man's life; and I maintain that even when they have reached the extreme limit, they have their pleasure still..."

Sabin accepted old age neither to fear it nor to fight it - but to accept it and use it. He was able to take hold of it and make something good from it. Sabin is one of the last of a long legion of pioneer Lebanese-Americans - his life story is a magnificent tapestry of events and like the carpets he so valued, every detail of his life forms an compelling narrative that tells us much about ourselves and our history. While his life has passed, we will treasure the memory of his journey and the example it holds for us all.

Like the Arabic proverb teaches us: "Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come." Sabin said, "How wonderful it is to live this long and rich life, see my children, grandchildren, even great grandchildren grow-up. The future is now in their hands, but I sure had fun with the past!" Farewell, our beloved Sabin. May the light of your life shine upon us from above as strong as it did here on Earth.

Sheikh Saba (Sabin) Assaif Nassif Attiyeh at 100 years of age passed away in Los Angeles, California on August 27, 2012.