Meir Haim

Jan 5, 2003 - Meir Haim, 74, of Tel Aviv, was one of 23 people killed when two suicide bombers blew themselves up on a pedestrian mall in Tel Aviv's Naveh Sha'anan neighborhood near the old central bus station.

Fatah's Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack, which apparently was assisted by Islamic Jihad.

Meir was waiting at a bus stop, on his way home from watching a practice of his favorite soccer team, Betar Jerusalem, when the first bomber detonated his explosives. A devoted fan, Meir would attend every game and practice, and even acted as an extra in a film about the team.

"My father was full of life," said Meir's daughter, Ora. "He was like a boy of 16, totally lucid until the last moment. He was the king of parties and weddings and dances. My father was the handsomest man in the world. He functioned better than a lot of youngsters." "He had friends from age 0 to 100," many relatives said.

Meir Haim was buried in Tel-Aviv. He is survived by his wife, Fortuna, five daughters, 14 grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.