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Hani Riad

Image by Nick Andréka

HANI M. RIAD

December 24, 1950 – October 31, 2019

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Hani Riad, of Winnipeg (formerly Brandon and Calgary), peacefully at the St. Boniface Hospital with his loving wife Karen at his side, after a courageous fight against cancer.

 

Hani is survived by his wife Karen Oliver; children John (Brooke) Riad and Natalie (Brett) Riad  of Calgary; sister Theresa (Yusri) Rasmi of Dubai and brother Rudy Mokbel Riad (Mona Soliman) of Egypt. He is also survived by John and Brooke’s children (his grandchildren Kayli, Jersey and Duke Riad, as well as Karen’s sons and their families.

 

Hani was born in 1950 in Alexandria, Egypt; oldest son of Mary Zachariadis and Mokbel Riad. The family moved to Greece and from there Hani immigrated to Toronto as a student. He studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto and went on to have a very successful career holding senior positions at Chemical and Manufacturing Plants in Canada and the United States.  Most recently Hani was General Manager of the Simplot Fertilizer Plant in Brandon and then the Husky Energy Ethanol Plant in Minnedosa, finally retiring in July 2018.

 

Hani was a very private, hard-working, highly intelligent man - a perfectionist, always curious to learn new things.  He and Karen spent many happy times travelling the world in recent years.  He was very proud of John and Natalie and loved to hear about the activities and accomplishments of his grandchildren.

 

Friends and relatives are encouraged to share in a eulogy, stories and condolences for the family by using the comments section of this page.

 

In keeping with Hani’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held. His ashes will be spread in the Mediterranean Sea at a later date. Flowers are gratefully declined, but those wishing may make a memorial donation to CancerCare Manitoba.

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

Memories, Stories and Condolences

 

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Gerry Oliver

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

I'm sorry to hear that this happened.  I wish that he would have had more time to enjoy his retirement.  Hani's advice put me on my current career path.  I learned much from Hani that I will continue to apply for the remainder of my career. 

Dave

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

My condolences to you Karen and all your family.❤❤

John Riad

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

Love you Pops! Miss you everyday! You will live on in our hearts and memories. Rest in peace. - John, Brooke, Kayli, Jersey, and Duke

Jennifer Wood

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

Hani was a great leader and mentor that believed in me and helped me achieve success in my positions over the last 16 years I worked with him at Simplot and Husky.  Hani believed in his employees and would challenge them to be their best!!  I do recall a story of when one employer wanted to let go of a bunch of employees and he told corporate that they would have to walk him out first!!  He saved many people their positions.  My sincerest condolences to Karen and family/friends... 

Ron Kristjansson

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

May the Memories you cherish help ease your pain.  All your friends in western Manitoba are sending our thought to you at his time of sorrow.

Rajesh Gupta

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

Demise of Hani came as a shock to me. He was a true leader and a great mentor. My deepest and sincere condolences to the family and friends. May his soul Rest In Peace

Amir

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

My condolence To Hani’s family  My Name is Amir I met Hani at the University of Toronto . We both left Egypt for better life in Canada . We bunked together and he introduce me to his uncle the physician Dr. George Zachariadis . we graduated two years later . I left to my job in Calgary and he left to Sarnia to work with DuPont  I heard of his news in Nova through a friend. Tonight  after nearly fifty years of parting company I decided to google his name to see what happened to him. I am really sad to know of his passing just few days ago. Hani Moqbil Riad , good bye my friend  Amir Nemr

Heather Abel

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

So shocked to here this news. Hani was a great mentor and helped me advance in my role at the Husky Minnedosa Ethanol Plant. Wish I had had this coaching much earlier in my career but am very thankful for the help that he gave me. Hani was a truly inspirational and progressive leader and friend and will be missed. Have so many good memories of Hani. Take care Karen and family. Heather

Sam Hofer

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

To Karen and family, Sending my deepest condolences to you folks during such difficult days.  I greatly appreciate the opportunity I had to work under Hani’s leadership for 16 out of the last 20 years at Simplot Fertilizer and at the Husky Ethanol Plant in Minnedosa.  What a privilege and honour it was to work with such an amazing leader. I learned so much from Hani. He truly was an intelligent man.  Hani saw strengths in people and challenged you to excel. He wanted you to succeed and continuously improve - like a great coach does.  Not only was he an exceptional leader with a clear and understood vision, he knew how to get to the end result in the most efficient way. He was clear with his instructions and expected great results -  and valued and appreciated your efforts along the way.  In my early years working for him, he encouraged me not use the words “it can’t be done”.  He always worked with you to find ways to make the once-impossible possible. At the end of the task, of course, there was always a “didn’t I tell you we could do it, Sam?” If there was a Hall Of Fame for great industry leaders, Hani Riad would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.  I knew him as an exceptional plant manager, and a wonderful leader, but what I will forever be thankful for and treasure is his friendship. 

Ed Debevc

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

Sincere sympathy to Karen, and the family. Hani was a leader in life that we all respected for his hard work and convictions to "do the right thing". He worked tirelessly for his people and the organization. I always enjoyed the short times that I shared with Hani at our leadership meetings in Calgary. We laughed at times and I loved the passion he had for his team and to challenge the business to improve. I saw the same love and passion for his family. I learned a lot from Hani. I know that he is missed by all who have known him.

Pat Avery

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

Goodness, this is sad to see.  I had the pleasure of working with Hani during his time with Simplot at the Brandon plant.  He was a vibrant, energetic professional that taught me a lot.  I am sorry to hear this and will pray for Hani abnd his family.  Pat Avery

Neil Hutchinson

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

Heartfelt condolences to Karen and family. Truly saddened by the news of your loss. Hani was my first boss on my migration to Canada and it was indeed a pleasure to work for a truly brilliant man and an exceptional leader. I worked at the Husky plant in Minnedosa with him. He provided a good welcoming for me and my family as we resettled into Canada.  Most noticeable to me was his integrity, attention to detail, great memory and a very knowledgeable person to interact with. He was a tremendous person. Neil Hutchinson

Shirley McCullagh

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

My deepest sympathy Karen to you and your family in the loss of Hani

Barb Gemmell

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

My sincere sympathy to you and your family Karen.  My thoughts are with you.

Bob Baird

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

My sincere sympathy. Hani was the best manager I worked with. I also enjoyed his company and advice. He asked the best of his employees and he gave the best back to them. I am a better person for knowing him and I will miss him but there are too many Hani stories to forget him.

Alan Mickey

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

Hey Hani you were a wonderful mentor to me for the last 20 odd years and three Jobs. You hired me 3 times so I must have fit somewhat in your mold of an OK employee. Hani told me one day not to talk to anyone who is giving me grief from corporate and that he would "take care of it". Funny the few times I had a small issue with corporate and he interjected I did not here about it ever again. We will all think of you and raise a glass when the blessed day of the Leafs winning the cup finally arrives. Miss you man!

Rob Peabody

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

My sincere sympathy.  Hani was a great leader and one of the best Operations Executives I've ever worked with. It was always a highlight to spend time with him.  He will be greatly missed.

Tom and Harriet Turnbull

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

Our sincere sympathy to you Karen as we learn of Hani's passing.  Tom and Harriet Turnbull.

Tammy

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

Condolences to Karen and family. A loving and caring soul who will be missed.  Cam & Tammy Milne

Dominic De Simini

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

My deepest sympathies to Karen and family for your loss of Hani.  We parted ways over 20 years ago, and I have not seen Hani since, but today, for some unknown reason I was reviewing my address book list of contacts at Nova Polystyrene business and came across Hani's name, I was interested to see where he may be now, and was so surprised to see his obituary. I would interact with Hani when he visited the Leominster, MA office, and I was always happy to see him, I still remember his voice and his laughter, I always enjoyed his company and our interactions as peers in the business. Good bye Hani, my friend, Dominic De Simini  
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