Rev. Samir Kamil Aboukeer
July 25, 1941 – June 12, 2021
On Saturday, June 12, 2021, Rev. Samir Kamil Aboukeer peacefully passed away in Kitchener, Ontario in the company of family.
Samir was married to Haidy Hanna, he was a proud father of Michael Aboukeer (Barb; fiancée) and Soha Orsburn (Kenneth), a loving grandfather to Adrianna, Savannah, Anna and Simeon and one granddaughter on the way and a devoted minister in the Presbyterian Church.
Samir was the 5th child of Kenz Boctor and Elder Kamil Aboukeer born in El Minia, Egypt. Predeceased by his parents and brothers Maurice (Mary), Aziz (Tina), and Makram and his nephew Maher. He is survived by his brothers Dr.Farouk and Fouad, and his sister-in-law Eveleen. He is remembered with love by Haidy Hanna, along with nieces and nephews: Mona, Medhat, Magda, Magdi, Maybel, Nadia, Samia, Suzanne, Salwa, Ashraf, Natasha, Rebekah, Naomi, Ramona, Ossama, and Marianne, and their families in Canada, Egypt, England, Australia the United States.
Samir grew up in rural Egypt and there learned the importance of caring for his community. He was in dental collage when he felt a call to ministry. Choosing to live a life completely dedicated to spreading the Good News he earned his Bachelor of Divinity at Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, Egypt and took his bride, Haidy, to Sudan, in 1981, where he ministered in the Presbyterian Church. Upon their return to Egypt, Samir faithfully served various churches around Cairo, Alexandria, and Assiut; always going to where the Lord called him to minister. He immigrated to Canada in 1987 and continued to serve the Lord with his family ministering to an Arabic speaking congregation in Kitchener, Ontario. His ministry took on various forms, from bible teaching, preaching, counseling, evangelism, crusades and one-on-one discipleship. Samir also worked with those with special needs in Kitchener, Ontario.
Samir had an incredibly generous heart and always found ways to help those in need, even giving one of his own neckties to another gentleman in need at his daughters wedding. But above the physical and emotional needs he tried to meet, he focused on the spiritual needs of others. Everyone needed to know Jesus.“Jesus is the answer”, he would tell others at the bank, on the phone, in the hospitals, etc. He continued to model that until his death.
Samir loved spending time with his family. His face always lit up at the site of his grandchildren. At family gatherings he would always be surrounded as he told countless stories and anecdotes, he had a great sense of humor, always making others laugh and asking thought provoking questions about scripture and our creator. He loved Jesus Christ and modeled the need for Him in his daily life. In his last few months he was usually found sitting by the window reading his bible.
Samir, “Baba”, “Dad”, “Pastor”, “Giddo/Grandpa”, as others liked to call him, will be dearly missed. We all have special memories of him that will remain in our hearts, knowing he is in the presence of the one who created him allows us all to find comfort and peace, because of the hope we have in the resurrection in Jesus Christ.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Samir Aboukeer Saturday June 12th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Markham, Province: Ontario