Edward Deeb, an active Detroit area community leader and problem solver for more than 65 years, passed away in his home on September 2, 2025 at the age of 89.
Born on May 4, 1936 in Detroit, he is considered a tireless patriot, peacemaker, entrepreneur, youth advocate and philanthropist to mention some of his roles with numerous civic, charitable and professional organizations at the local, state, and national level.
He was a champion for small business and often reconciled conflicts between businesses and government entities, entrepreneurs, residents or clashing ethnic groups.
“Our family has many fond memories of our father, and we will dearly miss him,” his daughter, Jennifer Kluge. said. “We also realize that he meant a great deal to many in the Metro Detroit area. He was a tireless supporter of business and a fierce advocate for children.”
Deeb was nationally recognized by the U.S. Senate Investigations Committee for the work he did in the aftermath of the 1967 Detroit riots, documenting damage which was done to food stores. Later he worked to quell tensions between Arab and Chaldean store owners and local African American communities.
Deeb was involved with numerous organizations in Michigan, as well as the general community. He was a past president or board member with The Guild at Ascension / St. John Hospital and Medical Center, United Way for SE Michigan, Boy Scouts, Detroit Police Cadets, American Red Cross, Dean’s Advisory Council, U-M Dearborn, Detroit Athletic Club, Belle Isle Conservancy, Detroit Police Chief’s Advisory Council, Crime Stoppers, Eastern Market Corporation. Deeb is listed in Who’s Who of America. He is also the former editor of Corp! Magazine.
Deeb was also founder or co-founder of a variety of organizations, including Michigan Food and Beverage Association, Michigan Business and Professional Association, Michigan Youth Appreciation Foundation, Metro Detroit Youth Day, Eastern Market Merchants Association, Friends of Eastern Market, Women & Leadership in the Workplace Conference and Awards Program, and Scouting for the Handicapped for Boy Scouts of America (Detroit Chapter), the MSU School of Music Advisory Council, Eastern Market Corporation, Belle Isle Conservancy, American Arabic & Jewish Friends, Michigan State Lottery program with Senator Gus Harrison, Arab American and Chaldean Council, Grosse Pointe Shores Improvement Foundation and Services for Older Citizens (in Grosse Pointe).
His claim to fame was his role as the founder and chairman of Metro Detroit Youth Day, an event which attracts thousands of youngsters to Belle Isle each July for more than 41 years. Former President George H.W. Bush presented Deeb with the 477th Point of Light Award for his involvement and inspiration to young people in this role.
Deeb graduated from Michigan State University in 1960 on a four-year music scholarship (as a clarinetist), where he majored in journalism and advertising. He was also an active board member of the MSU Alumni Bands and edited its newsletter for 10 years. He later co-founded the College of Communication Arts and Sciences Alumni Association, as one of the college’s newest areas of study, and was its first president. The MSU Communications Arts building lobby and conference room are named after him. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
He was the recipient of numerous awards and honors for his involvement in improving the quality of life for all, especially in community and business relations, and for inspiring young people.
He received a Doctor of Law degree from Detroit College of Business and Davenport University, and Doctor of Humanities from Marygrove College. In 1998, he was the recipient of the MSU Distinguished Alumni Award. He was also inducted into the International Heritage Hall of Fame, the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame, the Michigan Recreation and Parks Association Hall of Fame and the Eastern High School Hall of Fame. In 2011, he received the National Director’s Community Leadership Award from the FBI in Washington.
Among Deeb’s additional honors: Distinguished Warrior Award from the Detroit Urban League, the George Romney Award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism, the “Closing the Gap” Award from New Detroit, Peacemaker of the Year Award from Wayne State University, the Neal Shine Shining Light Award for Exemplary Regional Leadership by the Detroit Free Press and the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, The Salvation Army’s William Booth award for distinguished community service, the McQuade Distinguished Community Service Award from Ascension / St. John Hospital and Medical Center, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and Michiganian of the Year Award by the Detroit News.
In addition, he was a delegate to the White House Conference for Small Business, the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Eastern Market Association, received the Blue Angel Award from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Michigan Businessman of the Year from the Arab American Chamber of Commerce, National Silver Beaver Award from the Boys Scouts of America, Outstanding Leadership Award from Urban League of Detroit, Eagle Award for Visionary Leadership from the Greater Detroit Area Health Council, Heart of Gold Award from United Way for SE Michigan for 50 years of service, the Stewardship Award from Detroit Public Television, and the Outstanding Volunteer Award from Crime Stoppers of Michigan.
Deeb, his wife Joanne and their family resided in Grosse Pointe Shores for 40 years, where he was quite involved in the community. He served as a board member and past president of Barnes Elementary School PTO, (now Community Center), board member and past president of Parcells Middle School PTO, board member and past president of Grosse Pointe North High School Parents Club.
He was also a board member and past president, Grosse Pointe PTA – PTO Council of Schools, past president of Friends of the Grosse Pointe Library, past president of the Grosse Pointe Library Association, co-founder and board member of Grosse Pointe Shores Improvement Foundation, a member of the Senior Men’s Club of Grosse Pointe and co-founder of Services for Older Citizens Grosse Pointe.
In 2018, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources named one of the streets on Belle Isle after him. The street is called Edward Deeb Ave and is located near the site where Metro Detroit Youth Day is held each year.
In 2021, Deeb wrote a book titled “The Go-To Guy, the Life and Times of a Detroit Area Mover, Shaker and Peacemaker.” The book was well-received in the media. He wrote about various topics including his role as a peacemaker in the community.
Deeb was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve.
Deeb and his wife Joanne were married for more than 58 years, most recently residing in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. They have two grown children and five grandchildren: Sons George (Sarah) Deeb and their children Natalie, Charles, and Jack of Cary, N.C., and his daughter Jennifer (Michael) Kluge, and their children Lyndsay and Maxwell of Grosse Pointe, Mich.
Deeb is also survived by his sister, Marge Deeb of St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his brother Raymond Deeb, and his parents George and Sarah (Mashour) Deeb.
Visitation will be held at A.H. Peters Funeral Home located at 20705 Mack Ave. in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan on Sunday, Sept. 7 from 2 to 7 p.m. The funeral will be a private family event.
