MICHEL ROBERT ARIEL's Obituary
Michel Robert Ariel was born on December 2, 1952 in Brussels, Belgium. The eldest son of Rosa Lichtenstein and Maurice David Ariel (deceased), Michel Robert grew up with his younger brothers, Bernard and Benjamin Ariel. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Sylvie Ariel, two children, Krystel Harvey and Steve Ariel, son-in-law, Dean Harvey, and two grandchildren, Dahlia and Levi Harvey. Michel had the heart of an explorer and immediately set upon circumnavigating the globe, buying a round-the-world Pan Am ticket at 18 years of age. He graduated from the Université Libre de Bruxelles with an MBA from Solvay Business School. He spent a decade living in Zaire where his entrepreneurial spirit flourished and his love of the colorful African aesthetic was born. Upon his return to Brussels, he set about tracking down Sylvie Ariel, a woman he had only glimpsed on a folded up photograph from an acquaintance's wedding. When he finally found her at a Maccabee party, he insisted that he would take her out on a date and, Sylvie, charmed by his wit and confidence, accepted. He proposed on the very first date. They married in Brussels on April 4th, 1982. Always wanting to live in America, Michel built a wonderful home in Boca Raton where he and Sylvie raised both their children. He loved swimming, tennis, and spending as much time as possible with his family whenever he was not crisscrossing the world for work. He was passionate about making sure infants around the world had the best, safest products possible; he sold his infant products company and stayed on to lead the international business for the world famous Nuby brand. With endless energy and enthusiasm, he cared enormously for his colleagues and later enjoyed having his son, Steve, join him in the business. Anyone who knew him would say he had an incredible sense of humor and could entertain you for hours with stories from his exploits in Africa, or time on "standby for the Mossad" in Egypt, or being the National Geographic photographer at his granddaughter's birth. In all ways, he was a man who lived for the joy of family. He will always be remembered as the best possible father, husband, and person you could ever hope to encounter. He will be missed tremendously and live on in his family and friends' hearts forever, and by the deeds of those who carry his good name.
Cryptside Services 12:15 pm Wednesday, March 17th at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens, 11520 State Road 7, Boynton Beach, Fl.
Donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or the Birthright Israel Foundation
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