William Salhany

Pawtucket - William Salhany, 99, devoted husband, incredible father, loving brother and uncle, caring and generous grandfather, fell asleep in the Lord peacefully on Wednesday, October 6, 2021.

Bill was the patriarch of his family and loved being surrounded by family and friends.

He was born in Central Falls to the late Kamal and Ethel (Nahas) Salhany and he was the eldest son of a large and loving family.

After graduating from Central Falls High School with many honors including the nickname, “Mathematical Genius”, he served in the United States Army during World War II.

While in the service he was recruited to the Army Specialized Training Program, which is the subject of the book Scholars in the Foxhole.

That program was for gifted men in the Engineering field where Bill completed two years at Princeton University.

After the service, Bill married the love of his life, the late Ruth (Ganim) Salhany, and for sixty years raised their three children and loved their seven grandchildren.

Bill had a remarkable sense of humor and was always interested in world affairs and business news.

Bill opened Leonard’s Market, where he and his wife Ruth, ran a successful business for forty years until their retirement in 1987.

He was a lifelong parishioner of St.

Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, where he enjoyed and supported the church community.

Bill was completely devoted to his family.

He leaves three children and their spouses, Barbara A. and George Moussalli of Attleboro, Kenneth J. and Rania Salhany of Pawtucket and William J. and Susan Salhany of Rehoboth; seven grandchildren, Susan Gallant, Kristen Hughes, Kenneth Jr., Renna, Joseph, John and Michael Salhany; a brother, John Salhany of Central Falls; a sister, Lorice Zahka of Dedham, MA and many nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Margaret Haley, Ida Lavin, Fred Salhany, Robert Salhany and Lily Salhany.

VISITATION will be held at St.

Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, 249 High St., Pawtucket, on Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m. followed by Services at 11 a.m.

Interment with Military Honors will follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Pawtucket.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to St.

Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, 249 High St., Pawtucket, RI 02860 would be appreciated.

Arrangements are entrusted to William W.