George Thabit

George Thabit, retired Toledo police officer, died Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 at Oakleaf Village Assisted Living Community, where he had resided the past two years. He was 94.

Ask anyone about George and the first response almost always was the same: He’s a good guy. If you were choosing a life group, you’d want George on your team. He was humble, a man of integrity and 100% devoted to his family. George didn’t say a lot but his actions – charitable and otherwise – spoke volumes about his character.

George was born July 17, 1928, the son of Abraham and Nora Thabit. His parents had immigrated in the early 1900s to the U.S. from Lebanon and Syria. He grew up on Erie Street in North Toledo, which was known at the time as “Little Syria.” He always spoke of those days with fondness as the Thabit home was frequently filled with his many relatives and friends who enjoyed the Middle Eastern foods prepared by his mother.

After graduating in 1947 from Woodward High School, where he played tackle on the football team, George was hired at the former Willys-Overland Motor Co. In 1950 he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving two years in the Korean War, where he was a member of the Army’s heavy mortar unit and awarded a Bronze Star. Upon his discharge, he returned to his job at Willys where, over the years, six other close family members were employed.

In 1956, George joined the Toledo Police Department. He started as a foot patrolman and, eventually, rose to the rank of sergeant. Later in his career, he became the department’s secretary of police. After 30 years of service, George retired in 1986.

On July 2, 1954, George married Betty Hartley and they were blessed with 44 years of marriage. They had three children, Susan, Carol and Douglas. Betty died of cancer in 1999. In 2004, George was remarried to Nancy Zientara.

George was a lifelong member of St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, where he and his family were actively involved. Other memberships included the Fraternal Order of Police, American Legion Toledo Police Post 512 and Toledo Police Command Officers Association.

One of George’s most cherished experiences was his journey to Washington, D.C. in 2013 as part of the Honor Flight. There, he visited the Korean War Memorial.

George was an avid boater and fisherman. He experienced tremendous joy fishing for walleye and perch on Lake Erie with his family, especially his grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and first wife, George was preceded in death by his brother, James, and sister, Catherine Thabit.

Surviving are wife, Nancy; daughters, Susan and Carol Thabit; son, Douglas [Lisa] Thabit; grandchildren, Anthony, Emily and Christopher Haddad; Ashley Thabit [Andrew Dean] and Sarah Thabit; and great-grandson, Luke Shay.

Visitation will be Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.), Toledo, where a Trisagion service will be at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, at 11 a.m. at St. Elias, 4940 Harroun Rd., Sylvania, where visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. V. Rev. Archpriest Ayman Kfouf will be officiating. U.S Army honors and burial will follow at Toledo Memorial Park.

Donations in George’s memory can be made to the St. Elias Endowment Fund or Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association Charities Foundation.