Peacefully passed away on Thursday, December 23, 2021 as a result of a heart attack at St.Mary’s Hospital in Kitchener, Ontario at the age of 60, where he was surrounded and given much love and support by family. Nasser Al-Ahmar was the beloved husband of Tina Tzianas Al-Ahmar for 31 years. Loving and cherished father of Natalie and Lydia. Dearest brother of Michel (Eleni), Morris (Elli), Adel Barakat, Sabah Khallouf, Ibtisam and Ramla, and brother-in-law of Jim Tzianas. Loving son-in-law of Eustathios and Dionysia Tzianas. Proudly and lovingly commemorated by cousins, nieces, nephews, friends of the children and all those he ever worked with and helped. Predeceased by parents Mourched Al-Ahmar and Nabiha Mohanna, and his eldest brother Salim.
Nasser was born on July 17, 1961 in Al Nassra, Homs, Syria, where he spent his years attending school and helping his loving family manage their land. He was a very helpful son and a helpful classmate who always spoke up for what was right. He then attended high school in the neighbouring town Marmarita. He furthered his education after immigrating to Greece, where he attended the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki where he graduated as a physiotherapist in 1990. He completed his internship at KAT hospital, Athens, where he served in the intensive care burnt victims unit, orthopaedic ward and neurological ward. He was extremely helpful and fearless in the face of crisis. Through schooling he met his beloved wife Tina, who also graduated as a physiotherapist and served as an intern at the same hospital. They married on November 3, 1990. Together they opened up a private practice physiotherapy clinic in Athens, Greece. They helped many people heal physically, mentally and emotionally through their work, allowing them to regain joy and hope in life through their restored health.
On August 27 of 2005, Nasser, Tina, Natalie and Lydia moved to Canada; a new chapter of their lives began. Nasser being of immigrant status, was a stay-at-home father for the first few years. He later pursued a career and acquired a diploma in the field of truck and coach mechanics at Mohawk college, to which he was granted a fully paid scholarship because of his high score to their entrance exams. He proceeded to have a career in the field until 2016. Throughout these years, he also taught at the Saturday morning Greek school, touching many kids through his teachings about the Greek language, Greek history, Greek culture. It was truly astonishing how well Nasser had mastered the Greek language to the degree of being able to teach others for many years. In the fall of 2016, Nasser decided for a career change that better suited his aging physical abilities. He began working as a school bus driver for Student Transportation of Canada Inc. (Elliot Coach Lines – Elmira). He had grown to love the experiences his new career had brought him as it allowed him to show his deep care for children and their well-being; his work also enabled him to share his undying youthfulness, light spirit and tasteful humour. His bus was always decorated with festive posters, he often wore costumes to work to bring joy to the children, he would learn all their names and perform magic tricks for them.
Nasser treated everyone with love and kindness, whether he knew you personally or not, he would help you with anything you needed. He was often found helping neighbours with fixing a variety of machines and electronics. He also enjoyed taking his daughters and their friends out on excursions, such as ice skating, parks and lakes. In the summer time he enjoyed working in the garden, planting a variety of vegetables and setting up bird houses; you could easily find him lounging in the backyard under the sun with his hand-crank radio next to him as he dozes off amidst nature. His favourite place to be was in the village Soulari, Greece; he often spoke fondly of hoping to return there each summer, and eventually staying there for extended periods of time upon retirement, he was a beloved community member in the village.
Nasser and Tina were a wonderful couple. Very hard-working, wise, and loving parents, whose love for their children was evident. Their love for each other was also evident as they had endured so much together; through their studies together in university, and shared internship experiences, to owning a private practice together, travelling to different countries together, starting a family together and moving to Canada; it is clear that they shared a deep bond, love and trust for each other.
Nasser Al-Ahmar was one of a kind. He was adventurous, generous, sincere, resourceful, wise, kind, loving, fearless, forgiving, patient, humorous and friendly. He was every good attribute a person could posses and more. Nasser, our time with you was far too short, and yet so sweet and pure, you shall not be forgotten, rather, loved and cherished every day. You have gone to heaven to prepare our home, and as we remain here on God’s green Earth, continuing to spread your love and kindness, we promise we will find you again. Our hearts are with you, for ever and always.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to Nasser’s family may be made at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, (cheques made payable to Tina Tzianas Al-Ahmar, or through Interac e-Transfer to tintzian@gmail.com).”
Individual Words From The Family
Tina
For my beloved husband with whom I have been through many challenging but also rewarding times, I wish he finds peace and serenity in heaven. As our daughter Lydia said to him, during his final moments at his bed side at St. Mary’s emergency ward “you are going to prepare our home in heaven, so it will be ready for us to join you when our time comes…” Nasser was a kind hearted individual who disliked the difficult side of parenting, so he left that to me. I always kidded him about having to bring up three children, our two daughters and him. Amongst our fun and memorable moments, were times when we would engage in taking our children and their friends on outings and picnics, and our special family vacation to Cuba. Nasser was a very adventurous, innovative and a true child at heart. He would have been an excellent grandfather if he were given the chance. We would often tease each other of how we perceived our time of growing old together, and dreamed about places we would visit, and things we would like to do. But a higher power had greater plans for Nasser, as he took him to a better place. It is true that as parents we never truly leave this Earth, because our children are the continuation of our existence. Every time I look at our wonderful children I am reminded of the amazing attributes of yours I came to know and love. Our youthful years were spent together full of hopes, dreams, love and adventure, and not a day has gone by where I don’t believe that our time together was well spent. In this lifetime, love and good memories carry us forward, and you have provided me with so much. From our hopes, dreams and trust with each other, our love was born, and from our love came our wonderful daughters. Nasser, my love, you are gone but not forgotten, your memory will be cherished every day, I thank you for our times, and I promise we will be together and in love again, in another lifetime. I will come find you in heaven, and there, we can sit together in retirement as we always dreamed.
Natalie
Nasser was one of the most personable people you would ever meet. He was not always the biggest conversationalist and yet could leave the biggest impact on people. You didn’t need to know him to know he would lend a hand to anyone. He was invariably knowledgeable, handy, creative, and innovative. He suffered from a bit of a resting grump face, but the minute he cracked a joke his signature laugh and smile animated any interaction with him. Natalie’s favorite memory is of her 18th birthday. Nasser organized two days of festivities: a surprise party with friends and family, with a personalized band (bilingual to engage with the family’s multicultural background) and with a specially dedicated song with her name, to be followed the next day by a one-day cruise. His spirit was always much younger than his real age and it shined through in memories like this. Going against mom’s warnings of missing their ferry boat the next day, Nasser proposed a night out about the town, after friends and family had left the party. Nasser, Natalie, and a close friend did not sleep a wink that night, and explored the city of Athens all night long, until two hours prior to the cruise. They ended up missing the cruise, but Nasser sprung into action and quickly problem solved, by booking a speed boat that would take them to the cruise’s first island stop. There was an inexplicable ambiance he created when you spent leisurely time with him. He had the energy of a young teenager, full of life, always wanting to be out of the house, keeping busy, up to no good, and ready for an adventure. This memory reflects some of his best attributes for Natalie. As a man of few words, you had to truly know him to see him for who he really was. Those who were lucky enough to have this connection with him would speak to how much they loved his intuition of people on an emotional level, his ability to connect with people of all ages and from all walks of life. Nasser was unlike any other person you would ever meet. One of those traits was his style of humor, as it did not cater to everyone’s taste which made it all that funnier. His witty banter was often gone unrecognized except if you knew to look for it, then you were lucky enough to experience his quirky side.
Lydia
There is not just one core memory I can share with you about my father, because for me, he was a walking, talking amalgamation of everything a child could ever dream of. My father gave me many morals, values and attributes I carry with me today, his loss hurts me deeply as I believe I have so much left to still learn from him, I aspired to be like him in many ways. I recall being 4 years old, sitting on the floor in my room playing chess with him, I remember he would spend days playing with me, correcting my moves, questioning my decisions and making me provide reasoning for my plays. He taught me that there is nothing more beautiful than a patient, decisive and wise mind. When I was young, I asked my father “dad, did you wish you had a son?”, and he replied to me “yes, but I am happy with my children”. I remember feeling guilty and telling myself it was my duty to fulfill the role of a son. I recall wearing a toy work belt and helping him fix the car in the garage, I remember he bought me my own garden gloves when I was really young, and I would help him in the back yard, and try to act tough as if I could carry heavy things. I recall one very tough lesson my father taught me when I was 14. He asked me “Do you think I love you Lydia?” And I replied “Yes, of course you do, you’re my dad. Don’t you love me?” And he reassured me “of course I do. But listen, sometimes we believe what we want to hear even if it’s not true”. He explained to me that God has given us one of the greatest powers in life, and that is the power of words, because with our words we can manipulate, deceive, hurt, enlighten and make others feel loved. That lesson has stuck with me and taught me to be very careful with my words and other peoples emotions. I remember going to my father after I had experienced heartbreak and he took me out for a drive in the country side and taught me that to be in love is to be vulnerable, and that you should never regret giving love to someone, because giving love is such a pure act. I recall going to my father after I had been betrayed by someone and he consoled me by telling me that he too had been betrayed many times in his life; I told him “dad, this makes me want to stop helping people and giving” and I recall how he stopped me immediately and said “No Lydia, that is not right. You should not let other people’s ungratefulness taint your kindness. True generosity is to give what is dearest from us.” My father taught me patience, my father taught me forgiveness, my father taught me selflessness, my father taught me fearlessness even when I am afraid. I truly want to believe he passed away in peace as he never feared death; as a child I recall him being sick and I cried in his arms as I worried he was going to leave us, I asked him if he was afraid of dying and he told me “No, why should I be afraid? If I am to die, then I will die”. My father fought at the hospital with courage and resilience, and he left with grace and dignity. Father, I will remember all your lessons, even those I did not get to share in this message, and I promise to pass them on to my children and to carry myself with the morals, values and beliefs you taught me.
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Thursday December 23rd 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Nasser Al-Ahmar Thursday December 23rd 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Kitchener, Province: Ontario