Toufic Aboukhater

Toufic Aboukhater, 85, passed away peacefully at his home in Bluffton, SC on August 6, 2020.

Mr. Aboukhater was born in Tiberias, Palestine, on December 9, 1934, and later emigrated with his family to Lebanon. He went on to enjoy a long and successful career as a businessman and private investor. He joined the Shell Company in Qatar in 1959 and rose to Area General Manager of Shell Markets (Middle East) Ltd. covering the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman by 1972. He also became an advisor to the ruler and government of Ras Al Khaimah, U.A.E.,

In the 1970s, Mr. Aboukhater expanded his activities to Europe, particularly the UK, France, and Monaco. He once owned the Dorchester Hotel in London, the Garden House Hotel in Cambridge, the Monte Carlo Grand Hotel in Monaco, and the largest ski resort in the south of France, Isola 2000. In 1997, he proudly became a citizen of Monaco where he continued to be a philanthropist and prominent figure for much of his adult life prior to his illness.

In the 1980s, he began investing in U.S. industrial companies and at one time was the largest shareholder of the Pullman Company, the Henley Group and Abex Inc., the latter investment being sold in 1995. He owned the Lake Superior Land Company, the  principal asset of which was approximately 300,000 acres of timberland in Michigan and Wisconsin, which he sold to Champion Paper in early 1996.

In 1969, Mr. Aboukhater was awarded the Commander of the Cedar of Lebanon by the then-President of Lebanon, Charles Helou, and in 1985, he was decorated with the Commander of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem by Patriarch Maxitnos V Hakim.

While Mr. Aboukhater thrived on orchestrating business deals and participating in lively political discussions with his business associates and friends, he loved nothing more than spending time with family, who will greatly miss his infectious laugh and warm hugs. He will be remembered for his incredible generosity that touched so many people all over the world during his lifetime.

He is predeceased by his brother Diab, and sisters, Alice and Dora.  He leaves behind his brother Victor and his sister Mathilda. He is survived by his sons Kamal Aboukhater of California, Bassam Aboukhater and wife Mona of Monaco, Ghassan Aboukhater of Arizona, and Houssam Aboukhater and long-time partner MaryBeth Jermyn of South Carolina and the mother of his children, Therese Aboukhater.  He will especially be missed by his cherished granddaughters Reem, Noora, and Alexandra.

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