Danny and Leila Abdallah share heartwrenching tributes to eldest son, Antony on what would have been his 17th birthday
“You are my eldest son, my soulmate, my world. Life without you is not the same …”
Danny and Leila Abdallah who lost three of their children in the horror Oatlands crash tragedy three years ago, are paying tribute to their eldest son, Antony on his birthday with a series of sweet videos.
Antony was just 13 when a drunk driver caused the horror crash, striking seven children as they walked for ice cream. Antony, two of his siblings and his young cousin tragically lost their lives that day.
This week, as Antony would have been celebrating a 17th birthday, his parents have shared touching tributes to their eldest boy on social media.
Alongside a video (below) highlighting sweet moments from Antony’s life, Danny wrote: “Happy Heavenly 17th Birthday Antony. You are my eldest son, my soulmate, my world. Life without you is not the same but we trust in God and his plan for us 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻”
Similarly, grieving mother Leila shared her own video (below), writing: “Happy Heavenly 17th Birthday Antony. I love you and miss you dearly. I am sure heaven was rejoicing today for your birthday 💔💔💔🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻”
More sad news for the family that has endured so much
Sadly, this week Bob Sakr, the father of Veronique Sakr has revealed that he is dying of cancer.
Taking to social media, Bob Sakr shared the devastating news that he has been battling cancer for nearly a year, and that it had gone into “attack mode’, leaving him with just weeks left to live.
“I haven’t booked my ticket, and I am not in a hurry, but I am preparing for what’s to come next,” the grieving father wrote.
“I’m not one in saying bye, but instead prefer to say, ‘See you next time I’m looking at you’.”
The Abdullah’s incredible forgiveness
The nation’s heart bled for Leila and Danny Abdallah when a horror crash involving a drunk driver took the lives of three of their children and their niece in 2020.
One year on from the tragedy, the grieving parents shocked Australians everywhere when they publicly forgave the driver who killed Sienna, 8, Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13, alongside cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, in the crash at Oatlands on February 1, 2020.
In December 2021, the family announced they were expecting another baby, saying God had blessed them with “gift from above”.
At the time, Danny and Leila describes the beautiful new blessing as a welcome addition to the family for the couple’s children, Michael, Liana and Alex who had been “praying” for a sibling.
On that nightmare day, the children were killed after they were struck by a ute as they walked on a footpath to get ice cream.
“FORGIVENESS gives you freedom and allows you to live your life peacefully,” Leila Abdallah said one year after a crash that took the lives of her beautiful babies.
On the one year anniversary of the tragic loss, the children’s families launched an annual memorial, i4Give Day “honouring our four little saints in heaven” while urging people to reflect on the importance of relationships in their lives.
“We chose to turn our tragedy into a greater goodness. We chose to carry our cross with dignity. We chose forgiveness and love over hatred…” said Leila.
“Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself.”
This incredible selfless act saw Leila named as 2021’s Mother Of The Year, and Danny invited to be one of the ten “everyday Australians” who have made an “extraordinary contribution” joining Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Queen’s funeral.
