Yusuf Elias Antone was born in Baghdad, Iraq on August 18th, 1926 to Hania Atcho and Elias Antone, the owner of a soda pop business. The fourth amidst what would be three sisters and five brothers, Yusuf fondly recounted an idyllic childhood that included summers spent swimming in the Tigris River with his brothers. As a young man Yusuf taught at the prestigious Baghdad College where many of Iraq's future Prime Ministers, Presidents, and other notable figures in government and industry were counted among his students. However, his favorite student at Baghdad College was his beloved younger brother, Adil. While teaching, Yusuf attended the Law College at the University of Baghdad, becoming an attorney in 1953, arguing cases in the courts in and around Baghdad. Somehow Yusuf also found time to launch a printing and publishing company and act as editor-in-chief of two Baghdad newspapers. In his later years, Yusuf recounted stories from this time in his life in his book Echo of the Days.
This spring Yusuf was asked by his granddaughter, for a school report, "What does family mean to you?" Yusuf responded, "Everything." This was never more evident than in 1962 when Yusuf chose to leave Baghdad and his flourishing career behind to bring his mother to America to join his siblings who had previously emigrated. A newsman at heart, Yusuf started one of Detroit's first Chaldean newspapers AL-ALAM AL-JADID (The New World), acting as publisher and editor-in-chief, for the next 28 years. His children warmly remember family time spent together in the living room of their family home assembling the weekly newspapers in preparation for delivery. Yusuf also owned several retail stores. Shortly after arriving in Detroit, Yusuf met the love of his life, Nazhat Babbie, a beautiful, brilliant and independent woman, who, like Yusuf, followed her family to the United States where they found each other. They were married in 1965 and continued to live together in their first home in Royal Oak for the next 56 years until he passed peacefully at the age of 95 with her by his side. Together they raised four children, sons Rafid Antone, Ayad Antone (Lori) , Hedir Mike Antone (Susan) and daughter Maha Sawyer (David) and were blessed to have seven grandchildren, Amanda (Connor), Ashley, Chad, Maria, Sadie, Summer and Ava.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Yusuf's cherished caregiver, Sharonda. She, along with her friends and family, provided Yusuf with loving care all while offering comfort and guidance to his family throughout the end of his days.
The family will accept guests at Mother of God church on Monday Nov. 15, 2021 at 11:30 am before the Requiem Mass.
Church Services:
A Requiem Mass will be held
Monday, November 15, 2021 at 12:00 pm at
Mother of God Chaldean Catholic Church
25585 Berg Rd.
Southfield, Michigan 48033
Clergy of Record:
Father Wisam Matti
Committal Service:
A Committal Service
will follow the Requiem Mass at
Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery
25800 W. 10 Mile Rd.
Southfield, MI 48033
In lieu of flowers or donations, please consider a donation in the name of Yusuf Antone to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Thank You and May God Bless You
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
Thy Kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil;
for thine is the Kingdom and the Power,
and the Glory, for Ever and Ever.
Amen
