Hikmat Sabeh

Hikmat Sabeh, age 85, of Clifton passed away peacefully on Monday, June 20, 2022 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Hikmat was born and raised in Aleppo, Syria and was one of ten children to Abboud and Wadia Sabeh.  As a young man in Syria, Hikmat learned the trade of a tailor and was self employed for many years.  In the late 1950’s Hikmat was introduced by some mutual friends to a beautiful young woman named Houda Zalat.  Hikmat and Houda hit it off great and as fate would have it, they fell in love and were married on May 1, 1960.  Hikmat and Houda remained in their homeland of Syria for about twenty years.  While there, they welcomed the births of all five of their children, Albert, Sylvana, Gilbert, Alan, and Aurore.  In 1980, Hikmat and his family immigrated to the United States of America in search of a better life, a brighter future, and the American Dream.  The family settled in Clifton and have called it their home ever since.

Upon arriving in America, Hikmat continued to work and utilize his skills as a talented tailor.  In 1984 Hikmat went into business for himself.  Over the years Hikmat owned and operated his own clothing manufacturing company based out of Garfield, NJ.  A few years later he shifted his businesses into a retail location in Passaic NJ selling baby, tots, teens and adult furniture up to present time. He had so much passion and loved going to his place of business, Lion Tots n Teens, each and every day and continued to go to work until the last day he was able to.  Hikmat had an outstanding work ethic and never entertained the idea of retirement.  He worked tirelessly day after day devoting himself to growing and nurturing his businesses.  Hard work and determination were also values and traits he instilled in his children.

In his spare time, Hikmat enjoyed watching professional football and basketball.  His favorite teams were the Golden State Warriors and the Kansas City Chiefs.  He was a truly devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.  He was not only devoted to his family but also to his Catholic Maronite Faith.  He and his family were parishioners of St Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church in Somerset for many years.  Traveling was another of Hikmat’s favorite past times.  He and his wife Houda throughout the years have travelled back to Syria on several occasions to visit family and friends and have vacationed to such destinations as Hawaii and Florida.  They also treasured their Caribbean cruises together, and summer vacations to the Jersey Shore.  But aside from all of Hikmat’s talents, hobbies, and interests, his greatest passion was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Hikmat than providing for and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  He and his wife Houda were the glue that kept their family strong.  He cherished fifty-seven years of loving and loyal marriage to his precious wife Houda until her passing in 2017.  Houda’s health started to decline nearly twenty years before her passing and  Hikmat devoted himself to caring for her, never leaving her side through it all.

Hikmat only gave love and laughter wherever he went.  He cherished his large family get-togethers, Barbeques, holidays, and events.  He was funny, energetic, and his infectious personality brought smiles to faces of the people around him.  Hikmat never complained about anything and never had a bad word to say about anyone.  Hikmat was a truly special individual and will be missed by everyone that knew him.

Hikmat is survived by his five children; his son Albert Sabeh and his wife Rimonda of Parsippany, his daughter Sylvana Sabeh of Clifton, his son Gilbert Sabeh and his wife Najla of Wayne, his son Alan Sabeh and his wife Mayla of East Hanover, and his daughter Aurore LoRe’ and her husband Derek of Wayne, eighteen grandchildren; Hikmat Albert Sabeh, Nadia Albert Sabeh, Elias Baladi, Lila Baladi, Diana Bodnar, Selena Baladi, Nadia Gilbert Sabeh, Hikmat Gilbert Sabeh, Jessica Sabeh, Jennifer Sabeh, Crystal Sabeh, Andrew Sabeh, Houda Marie Sabeh, Lani Ann Sabeh, Hikmat Paul Sabeh, Mia LoRe’, Alana LoRe’, and Vienna LoRe’, and six great grandchildren; Ethan, Kataleah, Elias, Jr., Connor, Leia, and Suraya.  He was predeceased by his siblings Khlil Sabeh, George Sabeh, Waheda Sabeh, Joseph Sabeh, Sabhi Sabeh, Alyce Sabeh, Janette Sabeh, Berta Sabeh, and Josephine Sabeh.