Nissim P. Babani's Obituary
November 19, 1931 – May 31, 2014: Loving son, brother, cousin, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend to many. Nissim Penhas Babani, also known as Nick was born in Mexico City to Isaac and Elsa Babani and brother to Sarah Estela Shemesh who he loved dearly. He served in the United States Army as a Staff Sergeant from 1954-1956. He returned to Mexico City and married Julieta Leon in 1957 and moved to Los Angeles. Later the family moved to Cypress where they raised their two children. His son Alexander Isaac was born in 1958, and his daughter, Deborah Elsa was born in 1963. Nick went back to school and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. He was also an editor of the Los Angeles City College Times newspaper. Though no longer married, Nick and Julieta remained on good terms and committed to their children. Nick remarried in 1995 to Martha Santos who he was married to for eight years. They continued to be friends for many years. He spent several years working in the Aerospace and Manufacturing Industry in systems analysis. Nick had a wide variety of interests including religion, literature, politics, education, and the arts, but his heart’s desire and his true passion was to read and write. He enjoyed expressing his opinion in the News-Enterprise paper of Los Alamitos, CA, and was an avid member of Toastmasters. He also served as Chief Financial Officer of the Learning Light Foundation, an organization committed to education. In later years, Nick was able to fully dedicate himself to his writing and wrote on many subjects including religion and politics. His accomplishments as a playwright include a mystery, an adaption of Wizard of Oz that was performed, and leaves behind one last play titled Nes Gadol Haya Sham – “A Great Miracle Happened There.” Nick is survived by his sister, son, daughter, son-in-law Ziad Awil, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Nick’s honor to Tree’s For Israel
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