Mounir R. Salama, 70, of Westerly, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, February 23, 2022. He was the beloved husband of Attiat (Bebawi) Salama. Born in Cairo, Egypt on 5 ^th February, 1952 he was the son of the late Rezk and Lisa (Eissa) Salama. Mounir proudly served in the Egyptian Navy from 1969 to 1973 after which he worked as an accountant until he moved to the United States in 1980. He, his wife, and two daughters resided in New Jersey where he worked as a casino game dealer until he and his family relocated to Westerly, Rhode Island in 1992, for the opening of Foxwoods Casino. He worked as a game dealer for many years before retiring in 2014. An avid soccer fan, Mounir regularly followed the Egyptian teams. He also was a chess and backgammon wizard and loved playing with his family. On nice days you could find him enjoying a walk or sunset close to the ocean in the coastal communities of Watch Hill and Weekapaug, RI.

A devout Christian man, he took every opportunity to travel to Jerusalem to visit the Holy Land. He dreamt of getting baptized in the Jordan River and was able to obtain this blessing during his pilgrimage. Mounir regularly attended mass at both St. Basil Church in Lincoln, RI and St. Mary & St. Mena Coptic Orthodox Church. He proudly walked both of his daughters down the aisle at their weddings at St. Mary & St. Mena's church, as well as bearing witness to the baptism of his grandchildren there. He also attended occasional services at Groton Bible Chapel and served as a witness to the dedication of his youngest granddaughter there.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Marlene Paulo and her husband Anthony of Oviedo, FL and Marian Higgins and her husband Aaron of Pawcatuck, CT; his grandchildren Dylan James Paulo, Ariana Grace Paulo, who affectionately called him Gido (Arabic for grandfather) and 15 month old Demiana Aisling Higgins, who lovingly called him "Did-Did". He also leaves his beloved brother Badie Salama of Northfield, NJ.

He was well loved and will be deeply missed by his wife and family.

Funeral service will be held on Monday, February 28 ^th at 11:30am, at St. Mary & St. Mena's Coptic Orthodox Church of Rhode Island, 2433 Scituate Avenue Hope, RI 02831.

Procession and graveside prayer to follow.