Senators to take part in Ghanem funeral

Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2001 | 9:27 a.m.

Gaming giants Steve Wynn and Barron Hilton and both U.S. senators from Nevada will be among the officials participating in Thursday's services for Dr. Elias Ghanem, a Ghanem family spokesman said.

The longtime Las Vegas physician and chairman of the Nevada State Athletic Commission died early Monday following a three-year battle against cancer. He was 62.

Wynn and Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., will be among seven who will deliver eulogies at the 9:30 a.m. services at St. Joseph, Husband of Mary Catholic Church.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Hilton, chairman of Hilton Hotels, will be two of the eight pallbearers, who will follow a four-member family procession of Ghanem's sons, Elias Ghanem II and Farid Ghanem; Ghanem's brother, Nasser Ghanem; and Ghanem's father-in-law, Ernest Ericson.

Former President Bill Clinton, a longtime friend of Ghanem, called Ghanem's widow, Jody Ghanem, Monday morning to offer condolences, family spokesman Mike Sloan said. Clinton said his schedule would not permit him to attend the funeral.

Joining Wynn and Ensign in delivering eulogies will be Elias II, Sun Editor and President Brian Greenspun, noted developer Irwin Molasky, Ghanem's niece Elizabeth Ghanem and local physician Dr. Tony Anselmo Jr.

In addition to Reid and Hilton, the pallbearers will be Sun Executive Editor Mike O'Callaghan; Mandalay Resort Group President Mike Ensign; Mandalay Vice Chairman Bill Richardson; John Wilhelm, president of the International Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union; longtime Hilton executive Jimmy Newman and local physician Dr. Ted Jacobs.

Visitation will be 7-9 p.m., with a rosary at 8 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at Palm Mortuary-Eastern.

Donations can be made to the Elias F. Ghanem Medical Scholarship Fund, care of James Bradham, Nevada Commerce Bank, 3200 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89102.