MANCHESTER, NH – Since the passing in December of community activist and advocate Nabil Migalli, Anne Migalli wears her heart on her sleeve – and also around her neck.
The one on her sleeve is the outwardly buoyant one, filled with an enduring love for her husband of 35 years, who died in December of 2016 after a brief battle with leukemia. On Monday, her emotions were on full display, as she was surrounded by those who gathered to honor her husband’s memory during a special Community Advisory Board meeting. The Manchester Police Department’s public meeting space was officially renamed the Nabil Migalli Community Room.
The one around her neck is equally tangible, and yet symbolic: a striking heart-shaped iridescent pendant, one her husband selected as a gift for her on a whim. Since his passing, she’s added his wedding band to the fine Egyptian twisted gold chain.
“That’s the key to eternal life,” says Ann Migalli, of the ancient hieroglyph, also known as an ankh, engraved on the golden ring. It was one of the many symbols that represented not only their union, but the spirit of Nabil Migalli – who understood that the key to life is the people who create a community when they come together.
Born in Cairo, Egypt, and educated as a social worker, Nabil Migalli had a way with people. He loved nothing more than making connections between those who otherwise might never meet – the turnout at the monthly Community Advisory Board meetings were a testament to his knack for cultivating relationships between those from various cultures and walks of life. He personally invited them. His main objective was being the conduit by which neighbors found ways of working together to extend the common ground of their humanity, in all directions.
Ann Migalli says her husband’s interest in community was engrained in him, a natural extension of his cultural heritage. It’s something she learned about him firsthand, over the course of their marriage, as they returned often to his birthplace.
“I have so many stories I could tell you, that illustrate that point. One in particular, I remember we were on a bus in Cairo, and out the window we could see boys on the side of the road fighting. The bus driver stopped and got off the bus, broke up the fight, had the boys shake hands, and then he got back on the bus and we were on our way,” says Ann-Marie Migalli. “That’s just how it was, adults showing young people the way.”
Nabil Migalli found his niche in Manchester as a bridge-builder. His intellect and understanding of the human spirit endowed him with the wisdom of a tribal elder. Nabil Migalli saw beyond the differences. He invested in the promise of the city’s future by nurturing the best in its young people – the Manchester Youth Leadership Academy was one of his initiatives.
“We had 20 young people for the spring Youth Leadership Academy, and we had to turn eight away,” said Manchester Police Lt. Brian O’Keefe. “It’s a tremendous program.”
Going forward, Officer Casey Siegel and Police Commissioner Eva Castillo will be guiding the group of young men and women, ages 15-21, through a curriculum that spans everything from the city’s history, resources and services, to field trips to learn more about the city’s diversity, service organizations and government.
“It’s like civics class,” says Castillo. “A way to prepare young people to be future leaders of our city. It was Nabil’s baby. Now it’s up to us.”
Ann-Marie Migalli says that was her husband’s intention – teaching young people what civic duty can and should be, by getting them involved in the city where they live and getting to know their neighbors.
“He always said, ‘Let people do what they can, the way they can.’ His belief that, as a community, everyone has a role to play was so strong. And yet, he encouraged people as individuals to find themselves, to discover what they were good at – and then contribute that to the greater good,” she says.
“It was his dying wish, that the Youth Leadership Academy go on. It was heavy on his mind,” she says.
“As long as we’re here, Eva and I, it will go on,” says O’Keefe.
