Obituaries

It is with profound sadness and deep love that we announce the passing of Elie George Ghawi on July 13, 2026, at the age of 83.  Elie (pronounced “Ee-Lee”) was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, mentor, and friend whose life was defined by faith, family, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to helping others.

Elie is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Kathleen Frances Kelly Ghawi and his daughter, Katie Ghawi Cornetto (Donald Foster).  He was preceded in death by his beloved son, George Elie Ghawi, who passed away unexpectedly on June 6, 2026, at the age of 49.  Elie is also survived by his treasured granddaughters, Sofia Kellyn and Sela Rose, who were the pride and joy of his life.

Elie is preceded in death by his parents, George Alexander Ghawi and Rose Marina Ghawi.  He is survived by his siblings Lucy Cavalcanti, Laila Toubassi, Tony Ghawi, and Rob Ghawi; his sisters-in-law, Patricia Kelly Gogin and Mary Ellen Kelly Fitting LaPorte; He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, John Paul Kelly, Jr. (Felice Tobias).  He also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews, including Chucri, Caroline, Roy, Carl, Lara, Rawan, Rani, Razan, Cindy, Colleen, Tim, Shannon, Lisa, Piper, and Eddie.

Elie was born in Haifa, Palestine on April 17, 1943, the second of five children. He completed his early education and graduated from high school in Lebanon. Recognizing both his potential and the limited opportunities available amid the turmoil of the region, his parents orchestrated a plan to have Elie leave home after high school in pursuit of the American Dream. Through determination, hard work, and perseverance, Elie realized the American Dream, building a life and legacy that stand as a lasting tribute to his parents’ vision, courage, and unwavering belief in him.

Elie immigrated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1964 to attend college.  He first enrolled in Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) and then Marquette University where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering.  Throughout college he held three part-time jobs to support himself. In 1966, he met the love of his life, “Kathy Kelly,” by asking her to dance. They were married on June 27, 1970, and built an incredible life together – always and forever putting family first.

In the early 70’s, Elie obtained his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University.  He spent most of his professional career as a marketing engineer for companies including Square D, Allen Bradley, and Siemens. He was proudly naturalized as a US citizen on October 10, 1973, the same day Spiro Agnew left the office of the Vice President of the United States.

Outside of his professional accomplishments, Elie earned the respect and admiration of the soccer community as one of the top referees in two states, Georgia and Illinois. He trained, mentored, and assessed hundreds of referees, helping shape generations of officials through his expertise, leadership, and love of the game and officiating.

He lived by several mottos such as “Never give up,” “Anything is possible,” and “Education is the gift that lasts a lifetime.” He lived and loved by example, setting a course for his family and extended family to thrive and flourish for generations to come.

Another one of his creeds was “faith, family, and to fight for what is right.”  He always answered the call to help, serve, and fight for his family and those he loved. In his later years he fought especially hard for himself, surviving many medical trials, too many to list. He was relentless and unstoppable – a true miracle man, the life of the party, and a really, really great guy.

Though he will be deeply missed, Elie’s example will continue to inspire those who knew and loved him. His memory lives on through his beloved family, especially his granddaughters, who carry forward the legacy of a remarkable man whose life was a testament to his deep faith, enduring resilience, and unconditional love.  Well done, our good and faithful servant.

A mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Melkite Church in Northlake, Illinois on Friday, July 17, 2026.

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