‘Visionary’ Tony Mansour dies
Noel Stack, Village Life / Others
PLACERVILLE, CALIFORNIA, June 13, 2022 — “Tony was a visionary, a visionary who knew what kind of beautiful community El Dorado Hills could become. El Dorado Hills likely would not be here today if it were not for Tony Mansour’s vision and passion for our community,” maintained EDH Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Debbie Manning.
Her sentiments were echoed by others who knew the charismatic and spirited developer, who poured decades of hard work into promoting El Dorado Hills and building its Town Center. Mansour died peacefully, surrounded by his family, at age 84 on June 5 after fighting advanced heart failure with an untiring spirit for many years, according to son Louis Mansour.
Anthony Elias Mansour was born Nov. 20, 1937, in Jerusalem. He took great pride in his deep Palestinian roots. Forced to leave during the Nakba in 1948, he emigrated first to Beirut where he learned leadership skills as a Boy Scout leader, before moving with his family to the United States in 1958. He married the love of his life, Sandra Gabrie, in 1963.
As a young man Tony was a serial entrepreneur, launching and growing ever-larger businesses in the retail sector, culminating in the mid-1970s with the most popular home electronics store in Los Angeles. His career breakthrough came in 1970 when he became the exclusive provider of Hitachi TV sets with contracts providing the screens to two burgeoning video game start-ups — one of which became the legendary tabletop Pong game for the company that became Atari, Louis noted.
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This is a wonderful write up. Tony Mansour made EDH what it is today. And he was an excellent story teller. Folks can learn some of the history here – Eric Fletcher
[History of El Dorado Hills, Ca.; Tony Mansour at the EDH Library, 2016]
ANTHONY MANSOUR OBITUARY
November 20, 1937 – June 5, 2022 Anthony “Tony” Elias Mansour passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at age 84 on June 5, 2022.
Born in Jerusalem in 1937, he took great pride in his Palestinian roots. Forced to leave in 1948, he emigrated first to Beirut before moving with his family to the United States in 1958. He married the love of his life, Sandra Gabrie in 1963, and worked and owned various businesses before his career break-through when he became the exclusive provider of Hitachi TV sets to two video game start-ups; one of which became the legendary tabletop Pong game for Atari.
Many Angelenos will know and remember Tony as owner of ABC Premiums in the 70’s, with his pioneering invitation-only sidewalk sales. In 1979, he bravely jumped on the opportunity to purchase 8,000 acres in Northern California, where over the next 40 years he planned and developed a world-class master-planned community now known as El Dorado Hills. What began as his singular vision, now will be his legacy that will live on for generations who live in El Dorado Hills or visit the vibrant El Dorado Hills Town Center.
Tony was charismatic and charmed all who met him. He inspired great devotion from even the briefest of acquaintances. Above all, Tony valued Faith, Family and Fun. Nothing made Tony happier than gathering his family and friends at his home with an abundance of good food and laughter.
Tony is survived by his loving wife, Sandra; his devoted sons, Louis (Carie Ann), Jack (Carolyn) and Anthony Jr. (Amanda); his adoring grandchildren and great grandchildren; his sister, Jeanette Nuss; and so many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Lily Hazbun.
A celebration of life will be held at St. Brendan Church in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 25 at 2 pm. A celebration will be planned in El Dorado Hills at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Four Homes of Mercy (www.fourhomesofmercy.com).