Golden Marriages
Frank Zakem, along with two siblings celebrate 50 years of wedded bliss
Margaret Haddad’s first impression of the man she has been married to for the past 50 years was not so great.
She was 16, as was Mike Haddad, when the pair met in a Quebec village called Weir. Margaret thought her future husband was disrespectful when he tossed a sweater at his mother.
“I couldn’t believe that,’’ she said.
They met seven years later. They dated for three years. They married and stayed married for half a century and counting.
“He was the fortunate one, that’s all,’’ quipped Margaret. Mike agrees. “I hit the jackpot,’’ he said. “I found her cute, quiet. Oh she was very sexy looking.’’
The Montreal couple marked their golden anniversary on July 2. Mike attributes “patience, understanding and more patience’’ to the partners reaching the laudable milestone.
“I think it’s the greatest joy you could ever see, living together for 50 years through the ups and downs,’’ he said. “I am very thankful.’’ Margaret considers their longevity as spouses a notable feat. She is also quite pleased to have company with two siblings either in or fast approaching the golden wedding anniversary club.
Her brother Frank Zakem of Charlottetown celebrated 50 years of marriage to his wife Janet last Sunday. Margaret’s sister Jean will also be celebrating the same mark on March 25 with Labeeb Rashed.
The Rashed’s daughter Regina Rashed Consulo is certainly impressed by the three siblings settling down with their spouses for so long, all reaching the 50year mark of marriage within nine months of one another.
The same priest even married each of the three couples with the six all belonging to a Maronite Catholic church.
“I know there is a story here of longevity, faith, family values and health,’’ said Consulo.
“To know that my parents, an aunt and an uncle have made it to 50 years is truly a rare occasion for any one couple but for three of them . . . wow.’’
None of the siblings ever gave thought of joining the steadily growing ranks of the so- called “grey divorce’’ sector of those 55 and over that have ended their marriages.
While marriage remains the predominant family structure in Canada, it only represents 67 per cent of Canadian families, down from 70.5 per cent a decade ago - and 91.6 per cent in 1961, before the advent of the Divorce Act, according to the latest census data compiled by Statistics Canada.
Consulo, who has been married 15 years, says her parents’ golden anniversary illustrates their commitment to the institution of marriage.
She says her parents have always been respectful to each other, adding that her mother’s relationship rule is to never go to bed angry.
“They always woke up and hugged each other and kissed each other,’’ she recalled.
“I kind of look at them and I am inspired all the time.’’
Labeeb Rashed, a native of Lebanon, had thought of returning to the old country to find a wife.
Instead, after cozying up to Jean on a drive with friends, a three- month courtship resulted in marriage for the then 29- yearolds.
Jean, who was born on P. E. I., was sold on Labeeb’s goodness. “He was so nice,’’ she said. “He was a gentleman.’’ Jean was fine with sharing her matrimonial home with her husband and his three brothers for the couple’s first two years of marriage.
The couple enjoyed working together in Labeeb’s restaurant called Larry’s, which was the first to introduce Lebanese food in Charlottetown. The couple later owned and operated the Sea Treat restaurant.
Jean describes the upcoming golden anniversary, which will be a family affair including the couple’s four children, as amazing and beautiful.
Labeeb says he and his wife always were able to smooth over the bumps on their lengthy marital path, making a point to make up after each fight.
“Everybody has rough times and everybody has ups and downs,’’ he said.
Former Charlottetown mayor Frank Zakem saved his heated discussions for the council chamber. He never sparred with his wife Janet (nee Kousaie). No need, he adds, to sweat the small stuff.
“I let her win all the arguments,’’ he joked. “It was easier that way.’’ Frank felt soon after meeting Janet at a wedding that she might be the one for him. After dating for one year, they married. He was 31. She was 24.
“I felt he was a good person,’’ said Janet.
“You felt he would be a good husband.’’
Janet never complained about Frank’s busy life with council work, 26 years spent as principal of Holland College’s Charlottetown campus, and long involvement with a host of charitable organizations.
“All the things I’ve done is because she has been able to look after the kids and the house and everything,’’ said Frank.
Janet says faith, commitment and religion kept the marriage strong and kept the pair together. She feels grateful to have reached the golden wedding anniversary particularly in light of Frank’s battle with congestive heart failure.
“We are thankful we made the 50th because Frank has been sick,’’ she said.
She adds having close to 25 family members gather to celebrate the milestone over dinner on Sunday was “very nice’’.
Frank is gratified to have “four nice boys that never gave us any problems’’ with lawyer Steven, chef Kenneth, electronic technician Bruce and computer programmer Albert making the couple proud indeed.
And, of course, there is the marriage itself: 50 years together as husband and wife.
“I think it’s a real accomplishment,’’ said Frank.