Person Record

Metadata

Name

Forzley, B.K.

Other Names

Bashara Khalil Forzley, "Little Jerusalem"

Born

4 Jul 1880

Birthplace

Karhoun Bakah, Lebanon

Deceased

1961

Deceased where

Worcester, Massachusetts

Places of residence

Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
Spencer, Massachusetts, United States of America

Nationality

Lebanese

Notes

The story of Bashara Khalil Forzley is typical of many Arabs who immigrated to the United States during the period of mass migration (1880-1924). He came to find work to support his family back home. Upon arrival, other relatives who had already immigrated here helped him settle and find work. Later, BK brough other members of his family to the United States.

Metropolitan Archbishop Anthony Bashir officiated at his funeral in 1961.

BK was born in 1883 in Karhoun, Lebanon. As he got older, his father was unable to work the family farm and when BK turned 14 years old, his mother sent him to America to find work. BK's cousin had already immigrated to the US and settled in Worcester, Massachusetts. Upon BK's departure his mother pinned his cousin's address to his jacket. As he set off from Beirut in 1897, his mother gave him this advice, "always associate yourself with people who are your elders, do not indulge in liquor, smoking, dating, or partying, and do not forget your folks at home. If you live and succeed we also will succeed by our manifested happiness."

As soon as BK arrived in Massachusetts, his cousin, who owned a dry goods store, sent him to work as a peddler. After work, BK learned English so that he could receive his citizenship and a peddling license. In 1905, he became a US citizen.

That same year, BK sent for his older brother Abraham to join him. In 1908, he went back and married Almaza, whose parents were already in America. The two sailed to New York and arrived at Ellis Island.

BK and Almaza settled in Worcester among the Syrian community. They named their son "Victor" after the American victory in World War I. BK stayed in touch with his family in Lebanon and visited them several times. He also donated generously to his native village of Karhoun. In 1958, BK published his autobiography in English.

Occupation

Peddler, Dry Goods Merchant
Founder & Member of the St. George's Syrian Orthodox Church, Worcester
Treasurer, Syrian Brotherhood Orthodox Society
Patron, St. Mary Convent, Saidinayia
Real Estate