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A recitation of the rosary is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church for Bishara (Bob) Dahood Wehab, the longtime owner of the Country Corner deli and grocery store at 3207 Alameda de las Pulgas in West Menlo Park. A funeral is set for the following day, June 14, at a time still to be determined.
Mr. Wehab’s family was unavailable for comment, but an entry under his name at MyLife.com indicates that he was 63 when he died on Friday, June 9.
Flowers are everywhere around the front entrance of the store, along with a blank orange-colored sign set up for people to leave messages, West Menlo Park resident Cheryl DeGolia told the Almanac. “I have been living here for 20 years and I’ve never seen anything like it,” she said. “He was such a personable guy. Such an up guy.”
“Bob was the cornerstone of our little West Menlo neighborhood,” a resident said in an email forwarded by Debbie Baker. “He knew many customers by name and watched our children grow up. Many of the children, as adults, would stop to say hello to Bob when they returned to their neighborhood.”
“Bob showed respect and love for all,” Ms. Baker said. “He will be greatly missed.”
On weekdays, the typical lunchtime sandwich line at the Country Corner could be seen stretched out the front door into the parking lot. Since the line goes by the cash register, customers had the opportunity to converse with Bob on the way in and on the way out.
Mr. Wehab was born in Ramle, a city near Tel Aviv in central Israel. Of Greek heritage, he was brought up Christian, attending Catholic elementary school and Greek Orthodox high school, he told the Almanac for a story in April 2002. He attended Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, believed to be built on the birthplace of Jesus. Bob and his younger brother Edward — who made sandwiches at the deli — came to the United States after graduating from high school. Bob lived in Millbrae with his wife and family.
Neighborliness was very much a part of the Country Corner. Kids trying to buy cigarettes would usually fail, but Bob said he would not confiscate fake IDs. Instead he said he would try to discourage them with his tone of voice.
Despite being a corner grocery store, he carried alcoholic beverages you’d expect to find in a place aimed at more exclusive customers. A $100 bottle of wine, a $50 bottle of 18-year-old single malt scotch, or a six-pack of micro-brewed ale were not hard to find in the store. He sold capers and imported olives right along with canned goods and other staples.
Some of his customers carried a tab, he said, and he gave discounts to customers such as sports teams who bought in bulk. Dogs would come by, having escaped from their yards, and Bob said he would keep them in his backyard and call the owners to come by to pick them up.
Mr. Wehab is survived by his wife Nadia; his mother Mikal Wehab; his children David, Michelle, Issa and Natalie; his siblings Milad, Esther, Victor, Sonya, Gabi, Hiam, Edward, Ramzi, William and Sylvie; and two grandchildren.
St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church is located at 5200 Diamond Heights Blvd. in San Francisco.
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By Dave Boyce
By Dave Boyce
By Dave Boyce
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Bishara (Bob) Dahood Wehab owned the Country Corner deli and grocery store at 3207 Alameda de las Pulgas. -
Visitors left flowers at the front door of the Country Corner store at 3207 Alameda de las Pulgas in memory of the June 9 death of the owner, Bob Wehab. -
Well wishers have been leaving messages and flowers to recognize the life of Bob Wehab, the popular owner of the Country Corner deli and grocery store in West Menlo Park.
A tremendously warm, interesting, engaging man.
Before he bought the store, I avoided it, though saw that business was dismal.
Then along came Bob, with Nadia and Mike, and it became a valued place for many. A destination. Or a refuge.
Great human. And an immigrant. Delighted and proud to live in America.
Successful business. Tasty food. Convivial and personable family and workers.
He opened his ‘corner’ to everyone. I’m speaking of his heart.
RIP, Bob
We live down the street from The Country Corner and have known Bobby for many years. He always had a smile and a warm greeting for everyone. His wife and family are equally as nice and pleasant. Bob was one of the friendly and giving human beings I have ever known. He will be greatly missed by all.
The world need more people like Bob. He will be missed.
Bobby was a hint of fresh local air in an overly-franchised world. I hope that CC continues as it has in his memory, and feels the tremendous support the community has for the Wehab family and his legacy.
Bob was one of a kind! I’ve never met anyone who cared about each and every customer the way he did. He was never without a smile on his face and a friendliest of “hellos” along with calling you by your name. Our family loved him!!!
My condolences to Bob’s family and may Bob rest in peace. I didn’t go to that store often. But, when I did, he was always friendly and accommodating. However, one of my sons went there often and loved the guy!!! He surely will be sorely missed.
Bob was always such an endearing person from the moment you entered the store. His smile and greetings always made me feel welcomed. I am sad to hear of his passing and was crestfallen as I drove past the store today. Doors closed and flowers covering the entry-sent with love from the community.
Condolences to his family, friends and co-workers. He will be missed by many.
What everyone has said here is true and more. Bob was an incredibly friendly, bright, and kind man. He was a throwback to an earlier era where getting to know your neighbors — including storekeepers — was part of life. He treated every customer like they were part of an ever expanding, extended family. He will be sorely, sorely missed.
I am so sorry for your loss Nadia and to all of your family! I am deeply sadden and will feel this loss in my heart for a long time.
I am so sorry for your loss Nadia and to all of your family! I am deeply sadden and will feel this loss in my heart for a long time.the kindness Bob showed to me as a person and especially as Teacher Sandy down the street never went unnoticed. Whether it was in the refrigerator together stacking beer cases to give me the boxes for gingerbread houses, to (shhhhh) a free sandwich occasionally when I was working on the weekend, or a donation for my students-he was there. There with his sweet smile and positive attitude always. I will miss him very much. Love to all for all your service to our community and the world. Peace Bob
“It takes a Village” and we’ve all been blessed to have Bob a part of our Village for the past 20 years. It hurts to lose him.
My family is sad, my neighbors are sad. We will miss him.
Prior memories of others already well-stated match mine. My children (now adults) all enjoyed stopping in at the Country Corner and being greeted by name. Bob worked with each and taught them how to count change – augmenting their time at Las Lomitas! Throughout college visits home & even our infrequent recent visits, we’re all recognized and greeted by name. Bob will be much missed – our heartfelt condolences to his entire wonderful family.