More tragedy for the Abdallah family as father of Oatlands crash victim dies after cancer battle
“I am not one to bid farewell, but instead, I prefer to say, ‘See you next time I’m looking at you’ …”
In another unimaginable loss for the victims of the Oatlands crash in 2020, Bob Sakr, the father of Veronique Sakr has passed away after a battle with cancer.
Eleven-year-old Veronique, along with her cousins 8yo Sienna, 12yo Angelina and 13yo Antony Abdallah, tragically lost their lives on February 1, 2020, when they were struck by a drunk and drugged driver in a ute as they went for ice creams.
Tributes for the loving father have flooded social media, with a touching Facebook post by The Lebanese Australian garnering many heartfelt comments.
The post itself read: “This moment is a celebration for Veronique Sakr, celebrating her dad’s arrival into heaven, welcoming her dad into the kingdom of heaven, where happiness and joy never ends!”
David Sakr, Bob’s older brother, who described it as the “saddest day of my life” shared: “In our hearts you will live on forever. You are now reunited with your baby girl Veronique and with mum and dad.”
Friend Luigi Pelaia wrote: “RIP Bob Sakr. Until we ride again. You are in a better place and reunited with your Angel”
While another friend Mary-Anne Maz wrote “condolences to all the family, especially his son Michael. Resting with his daughter Veronique”.
“See you next time I’m looking at you …”
In late June, Bob Sakr shared post revealing that he was dying of cancer. Bravely, he took the opportunity to express his gratitude to all those who had been a part of his life and allowed him to be a part of theirs.
Taking to social media, Bob Sakr shared the devastating news that he has been battling cancer for nearly a year, and that it had gone into “attack mode’, leaving him with just weeks left to live.
“I haven’t booked my ticket, and I am not in a hurry, but I am preparing for what’s to come next,” the grieving father wrote.
“I’m not one in saying bye, but instead prefer to say, ‘See you next time I’m looking at you’.”
The Abdallah families incredible forgiveness
The nation’s heart bled for Leila and Danny Abdallah when a horror crash involving a drunk driver took the lives of three of their children and their niece in 2020.
One year on from the tragedy, the grieving parents shocked Australians everywhere when they publicly forgave the driver who killed Sienna, Angelina, and Antony alongside cousin Veronique, in the crash at Oatlands on February 1, 2020.
In December 2021, the family announced they were expecting another baby, saying God had blessed them with “gift from above”.
At the time, Danny and Leila describes the beautiful new blessing as a welcome addition to the family for the couple’s children, Michael, Liana and Alex who had been “praying” for a sibling.
On that nightmare day, the children were killed after they were struck by a ute as they walked on a footpath to get ice cream.
“FORGIVENESS gives you freedom and allows you to live your life peacefully,” Leila Abdallah said one year after a crash that took the lives of her beautiful babies.
On the one year anniversary of the tragic loss, the children’s families launched an annual memorial, i4Give Day “honouring our four little saints in heaven” while urging people to reflect on the importance of relationships in their lives.
“We chose to turn our tragedy into a greater goodness. We chose to carry our cross with dignity. We chose forgiveness and love over hatred…” said Leila.
“Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself.”
This incredible selfless act saw Leila named as 2021’s Mother Of The Year, and Danny invited to be one of the ten “everyday Australians” who have made an “extraordinary contribution” joining Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Queen’s funeral.
