Fouad Abdo Sarkis, said to have grown first Lebanese cucumber in Australia, dies aged 85

A western Sydney resident said to have introduced the Lebanese cucumber to Australia has been remembered not just an astute market gardener, but also an admired family man.

Fouad Abdo Sarkis was the first person to grow Lebanese cucumbers in Australia.

A western Sydney resident said to have grown the first Lebanese cucumbers in Australia has been remembered not just as a savvy market gardener, but also a compassionate family man and community figure.

Greystanes resident Fouad Abdo Sarkis died at the Great Western Highway home he lived in for more than 40 years on October 21, aged 85, after a long battle with kidney failure and dementia.

The unassuming property was also the site where Mr Sarkis – the father of Cumberland councillor Eddy – sewed the first seeds of the cucumber in 1981 after bringing them back from his Lebanese home town of Damour, near Beirut.

Comparatively crunchier and tastier than the continental variety, the cucumbers began thriving in Mr Sarkis’ two-acre backyard.

He started selling them at Flemington Markets and secured a contract with Woolworths.

Fouad Sarkis was a migrant success story.

“There was an appetite for it,’’ Cr Sarkis said.

The proud son said his dad’s harvest was “a hit” and the flourishing venture meant he would soon expand with a 25-acre market garden at Kemps Creek, where there were 40 greenhouses.

Cr Sarkis said his father brought home the seeds because he was afraid Lebanon would cease during a conflict with Syria, Palestine and Israel, and wanted to have them as a legacy of his homeland.

It didn’t take long for the cucumbers to become ubiquitous across fruit shops and supermarkets in his adopted country of Australia.

In 1982 it also heralded the start of a 26-year career for Mr Sarkis, who had worked as a tiler since he was 12 to support his family.

Cr Sarkis says, of course, his father’s agricultural success was just a fraction of who he was.

“He’s one of the greatest men that lived,’’ he said.

Fouad Abdo Sarkis with his wife, Lameza, and grandchildren.

Fouad Sarkis was a loving father and grandfather.

“Dad’s contributions were far and wide.’’

His eldest daughter, Doli Tyler, lauded her father for helping others.

Mr Sarkis was the president of the Damour Charitable Association for more than 30 years and was also elected president of The Australian Lebanese Welfare Group.

The groups provided immigrants with employment, housing and counselling support.

“People were drawn to his charisma and loved being in his presence,’’ Mrs Tyler said.

“He was compassionate, empathetic and loving.

“His home was open to everyone from his family and friends to people he met through work the different associations he was involved in.

“People always knew that coming to his home meant they were going to be welcomed, fed, loved and cared for.’’

During a council meeting last Wednesday night, Mayor Ola Hamed paid tribute to Mr Sarkis’ strong work ethic and gentle nature.

When Mr Sarkis migrated to Australia in early 1971, aged 33, he worked on the buildings such as the Queen Victoria Building where he laid mosaic tiles.

Mr Sarkis was farewelled at a funeral at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral at Harris Park on October 24.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lameza, children Doli, Eddy and Marie, and eight grandchildren.

Originally published as Fouad Abdo Sarkis, said to have grown first Lebanese cucumber in Australia, dies aged 85