Person Record

Metadata

Name

Unis, Don

Other Names

Don Unis

Born

19 Jan 1939

Birthplace

Dearborn, Michigan, USA

Deceased

3 Dec 2018

Deceased where

Dearborn, Michigan, USA

Places of residence

Detroit, Michigan, United States of American
Dearborn, Michigan, United States of American

Nationality

American

Notes

Don Unis was raised in the southeast corner of Dearborn in the shadow of the Ford Rouge Plant, by his mother and stepfather, Sam Shamey, after the untimely death of his biological father in 1943, when Don was less than four years old.
He was lauded by his peers for his tireless work ethic, Unis's life was shaped by his love for community and dedication to service. The son of a World War II veteran, Unis served in the U.S. Army in 1957 and was stationed in Germany. He returned home, and became a founding member of both the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) and the Arab American Political Action Committee.

Unis also served as a captain in the Dearborn Fire Department until his retirement. Yet, throughout his life and many roles, Unis never relented on his commitment to advocating for Arab American families and children.

Occupation

Community Organizer, Activist, Fire Captain, Dearborn Fire Department, United States Army, 1957

Co-founder, Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS); Co-founder, Arab American Political Action Committee.

Relationships

Sister, Fatima Unis
Sister, Katherine Unis Amen
Sister, Wanda Lee Unis Flaim
Brother, Ronald Unis
Half-Brother, Charles Shamey
Half-Brother, Thomas Shamey
Nephew, Ron Amen