Vale Kev Khazen: Pride of Dalby passes away

GENEROUS, compassionate, and a keen communicator. These are the words used to describe a man who embodies Dalby and its community.

LOCAL ICON: Kev Khazen was the owner of Kev Khazen's Tailor and Menswear, and was a friend to so many people. Picture: Contributed

GENEROUS, compassionate, and a keen communicator. These are the words used to describe a man who embodies Dalby and its community.

Today, Dalby is mourning the loss of husband, father, businessman and friend Kev Khazen.

Kev was born in Zghorta, Lebanon, where he spent his early childhood before moving to Sydney. He had his first taste of country life at a young age while visiting family in Dalby.

Not long after, he made the move to the small town where he opened a business and embraced Dalby and all its people.

Kev is known to many as the tailor and owner of Kev Khazen's Menswear and Tailor.

Kev spent 67 years working on Cunningham St and was a beloved member of the community.

His store sat in the heart of Dalby up until February this year. The store closed its doors on February 10.

The shop was intended to close at noon, but remained open well into the afternoon due to the volume of people who came to purchase clothing one last time and wish Kev well on his retirement.

Kev's son Danny has fond memories of his father working in the store - not only as a businessman, but as a kind and giving man.

"He was very fond of the Dalby community, and he was very proud of Dalby."

Kev welcomed every person who walked into his store as though they were his own family and

Danny said his father had an inherent ability to relate to everyone he encountered.

Kev is survived by his daughters Rose and Sadie, his son Danny, and his wife Margaret.

His funeral will be held at 10.30am on Friday at St Joseph's Catholic Church. Instead of flowers, the family have asked attendees to donate to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.

Originally published as Vale Kev Khazen: Pride of Dalby passes away