Sulaiman Jadallah

It is with great sadness that we share the news of Sulaiman (Sam) Jadallah's passing on December 2nd, surrounded by love and family after a long battle with cancer. Sam was born on October 13th, 1952, and grew up in El-Bireh, Palestine. In 1967, he and his family settled in Gary, Indiana. 

Sam was a hard worker; he became a restaurant manager at McDonald's at 17. He received a full scholarship to college from US Steel to study engineering but chose to enlist in the US Army instead, serving as a Military Policeman. During his time in the military, he developed a passion for a particular restaurant that later inspired his desire to open a restaurant of his own. 

After his service, Sam moved to Florida to work in the family business, where he met his former wife and started a family. In 1989, Sam and his wife relocated to Milton, Vermont, where they welcomed two additional children. Although he had always aspired to be a police officer, his talent for reviving businesses took precedence. He was well-known for owning the Country Pantry restaurant for 18 years, where he found joy in giving back to the community. During snowstorms or local emergencies, Sam would keep the restaurant open late into the night to ensure that essential workers, such as the rescue squad, firefighters, snowplow drivers, and utility workers, were fed. 

After running his restaurant, he collaborated with his close friend, Prakash, to run Sammy's Quick Stop in Winooski, where he brought a new spark to the neighborhood. There, he formed close friendships and cherished his time spent with friends and neighbors, particularly John, Bob, Chantel, and Susan, who were of great support to him throughout his illness.

Sam is survived by his children: Aziza (Sergey) Leshchinskiy, Jamilah (Jacob) Lee, and Sulaiman (Sami) Jadallah Jr. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Desmond Bourdeau and Maxwell Leshchinskiy, as well as his former wife, Karen Cyr. Additionally, he is survived by his siblings: Nabil, Lutfi, Sami, Yusri, Salwa Thalji, Jamilah Atallah, Nahil Thalji, Laila Ismail, Taiseer (who came to Vermont to support him until the end), and many beloved nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Jamil and Moftiah Jadallah, his brother in laws Hashem Atallah and Ribhi Thalji, and niece Mona Sbitany.

A celebration of life will be held at Minor Funeral Home in Milton on February 1st from 4-6pm. We would like to thank the McClure Miller Respite House for their wonderful care, and AgeWell Vermont.