Henry Haim Sibony passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family at the age of 102 on November 8, 2023 in Walnut Creek, CA. He was born January 15, 1921 in Mogador (Essaouira) Morocco, where he was the youngest son of 8 siblings. After World War II, he followed his sister, who was a War Bride, to the United States. He worked hard to support himself with various jobs and after 5 years became a US citizen. In 1955 he returned to Morocco and, as luck would have it, he was introduced to Violette. They soon married and he got a job on the U.S. military base in Casablanca and began a 30 year career as a civil servant working for the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The job transferred him to Livorno, Italy where he worked for 18 years and then to Virginia where they lived for 10 years before he retired. In 1998 Henry and Violette followed their children to California and settled in Walnut Creek. He was a long time member of Congregation Beth Israel in Berkeley.
Henry was always ready for adventure and spoke multiple languages, including French, Spanish, Italian and Arabic. He had a passion for Opera and Literature and was always happy conversing about History and Art. He was loyal to his immediate and extended family all over the world. An eternal optimist, he was a beloved father, husband and grandfather who represented gratitude and dignity until his last day. He never turned down an invitation for a social event and was always present at any children or grandchildren's sporting event or performance.
Henry is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Violette, his children Mel (Lisa), Deborah (Charles Koppelman), and Karen (Jason Pollack). Henry was also cherished by his grandchildren: David (Gabrielle), Lena, Walker (Danielle Parker), Gabriella, Jonah, Simone, Isaac, and great-grandchild Miles Koppelman-Brown.
Donations in his memory may be made to Jewish Family & Community Services East Bay (jfcs-eastbay.org) or Mazon (mazon.org).