Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73

Loudonville, N.Y.— Elias Abdallah Hannoush, the founder of Hannoush Jewelers, died in his hometown of Zahle in Lebanon on June 15.

He was 73.

Elie Hannoush, as he was known to many, was born on Jan. 24, 1952. He was the eldest of eight boys, all living in a one-bedroom home in Zahle.

At age 13, he left school to work as a jeweler’s apprentice to help support his family, and by age 17, he was a master goldsmith.

He dreamed of a life in America, but his father wouldn’t let him go alone.

In 1971, when Hannoush was 19, the family of 10 sold all their possessions and moved to the United States. He returned to Lebanon in 1973 to marry Georgette, and the two returned to America together.

Both came from large families and humble beginnings, according to his online obituary, so the pair was accustomed to budgeting carefully and raised their sons, Albert and David, with discipline and love.

The couple worked entry-level factory jobs and other various odd jobs, and Hannoush later opened a restaurant that served Lebanese food. He was known for his steak and cheese on Lebanese pita bread and, throughout his life, surprised his sons at work with fresh sandwiches.

In 1978, Hannoush started working as a bench jeweler at Kay Jewelers in Colonie Center, a shopping mall in Albany, New York.

However, the family was living in Springfield, Massachusetts, so he stayed in a motel across from the mall during the week and drove home on weekends. 

He grew quickly in his role, eventually handling repairs for Kay stores across New York and Vermont, as well as department stores like Service Merchandise and Present Company. He also began designing and selling his own jewelry.

In the 1980s, when Hannoush had saved enough money to open his own store, he established the first Hannoush Jewelers.

Today, the Hannoush Jewelers network includes more than 50 company-owned and franchised stores located throughout the U.S., according to the jeweler’s website.

Visiting his store felt like entering his home, his obituary said, and Hannoush greeted the thousands of people who came in with a warm handshake or a hug and kiss.

He regularly donned a perfectly tailored suit, a knotted tie, and polished shoes, and often reminded his sons, "The way you dress reflects how seriously you take your work." 

He loved working alongside his children. Albert joined him full-time while in high school. 

Hannoush taught them to listen closely to client conversations, observe vendor negotiations, learn how to select diamonds and gems, and to treat everyone with the same respect, because a lasting relationship mattered more than a quick sale. 

Multi-generational families continue to shop at Hannoush Jewelers with his sons.

Hannoush also adored his fifteen grandchildren and often boasted about their accomplishments. He had a unique bond with each one and took pride in instilling within them “a deep sense of their Lebanese heritage, the value of hard work in achieving success, and the belief that true happiness comes from helping others—not simply from material things.”

He was known to make early morning visits to his children's homes for coffee, spontaneous pancake breakfasts with the grandkids, harmless pranks, and stealing a taste of any sweet treat they happened to be holding.

Hannoush was a devout parishioner at St. Ann Maronite Catholic Church in Watervliet, New York, where he and Georgette regularly attended Sunday liturgy together, in the front pew. 

A charitable family, Elie and Georgette created the Michael David Hannoush Scholarship at St. Ann's in memory of their grandson Michael David. It is awarded annually to a high school graduate active in the parish. 

They also helped establish an endowment in his memory supporting the Pediatric ICU at the Bernard and Millie Duker Children's Hospital, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

Although Hannoush loved the U.S. for the opportunities it provided, often reciting, "The U.S. is the greatest country in the world to build a life," he spent much of his retirement in his beloved hometown of Zahle.

There, he enjoyed his favorite pastries and continued helping those in need through funding for medication or medical procedures, distributing food during the holidays, or supporting churches and local charities.

“It is almost poetic that Elie's life ended where it began—not far from that one-bedroom home he left over 50 years ago,” his obituary says.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Georgette (Rahal); his four children, Albert (Mirvatte Eid), David (Diana Saliba), Janette Nammour (Naim), and Nadia Damouni (George); his fourteen grandchildren; and his seven brothers and their combined 34 children and dozens of grandchildren. 

He is preceded in death by his grandson Michael David; his parents Abdullah Elias and Souad (Hajnasr); and many aunts, uncles, and cousins from the Hannoush, Hajnasr, and Salameh families.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Pius X Church in Loudonville on June 26, followed by interment at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, New York.

Those wishing to make a donation in Hannoush’s honor can do so via St. Ann Maronite Catholic Church’s website. 

To donate to the Hannoush Pediatric Care Endowment, visit the Albany Medical Center Foundation's website.