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In Memoriam
Yonatan Hermes
December 30, 1906 - January 16, 2008
The late Yonatan Hermes was born in the village of Charbash in Urmia in 1906 to parents Isaac Hermes and mother Sarah. He was educated at the Episcopalian School. It was in 1918 when the great Assyrian exodus began that Mr. Hermes and his family joined his co-nationalists who came to the Bacuba Camp in Iraq. He started working for the British until 1930 where he received a medal from the King of England, King George V, in appreciation for his service. Then, he began working in the oil company and became a supervisor in the civil engineering department.
In late 1940s we recall Mr. Hermes was the only Assyrian Staff Engineer at the Iraq Petroleum Company, Kirkuk.
Yonatan was married to Elishwa daughter of Rev. Daniel of the village of “D’Tla Kande.” By 1922, they had 5 sons (Youel, Fred, Sargon, Sam and James) and 2 daughters (Alice and Shamiram). In 1945, Yonthan’s wife Elishawa passed away. In 1962, Mr. Hermes took his wife Victoria Aghajan, and they are blessed with one daughter, Dr. Mary.
Mr. Hermes was very successful and was highly respected by our people and the Moslems of Kirkuk, and was called ‘Raabi’ as a sign of respect for his position and for being an honest and nice gentleman. Mr. Hermes had great love for his Assyrian people and his Church. After arriving in the U.S. in 1980, he settled in San Francisco and joined his forefathers’ Church, the Assyrian Church of the East.
Mr. Hermes was a very kind and compassionate person who cared about the poor and students. He was known for being a peacemaker and an advisor and helper in many difficult cases. We recall again when the Assyrians’ villages in Nineveh (Northern Iraq) were bombarded by the previous (Saddam) regime in 1960s, poor Assyrians were once again forced to leave their destroyed houses and all what they possessed to flee and settle as refugees in Kirkuk, Mosul, Baghdad, etc. Their children were refused to enroll in local schools due to lack of identities and no knowledge of Arabic, so the Assyrian School management did their best in obtaining permission from Ministry of Education in enrolling the 33 needy children in the school.
Our point of view in mentioning this story is the above 33 poor students were sponsored by kind-hearted persons like Late HERMES YONATAN, and Messrs Sargon Yonatan, Atto Paris, Shimon Amaden, Aprim Benyamin, Albert Ismail, Odisho Warda, Youash Khana, Samson Jacob, etc. Worth to mention one of these students Emmanuel Eramia in 1966/1967 obtained the first place in Kirkuk by passing 100% in the Bacc. Exams among dozens of other schools. Emmanuel was awarded with a Golden Watch by the Dir. Of Education
Late Hermes leaves many loving children, grand- and grand-grand children. He passed away on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 10 P.M. at the age of 101 years. His funeral was conducted by Archdeacon Nenos Michael and Rev. Oshana Kanoun.
Mr. Hermes carried his course faithfully, finished his race triumphantly, and fought his fight courageously. May God rest his soul with the saints in His heavenly Kingdom, Amen!
Awisha
Assyrian School Kirkuk Reunion
LATE MR. WARDA N. KHNANISHO
Assyrian American Association of Chicago is holding a special gathering in honor of the Fortieth day of the passing away of the Poetic and Play Writer Mr. Warda Khnanisho on Sunday January 27, 2008 at 6:00 evening. Late Warda passed away in Chicago but he was buried in Phoenix, Arizona where all his family reside.
It is very sad to lose such a young, nice and gentle person, in Kirkuk he had left so many memories, he was a poetic, play writer who wrote many plays for the Assyrian Sport Club in Kirkuk, he was also a good lecturer. In Chicago, as well he has offered his good services to the Assyrian Community especially for the Assyrian American Association, may the Lord rest his soul in his heavenly kingdom amen, to his bereaved loving family: wife, mother, brothers and all his relatives and friends we express our kind and heartfelt sympathy.
Awisha Lazar, January 27, 2008
For the Assyrian School Kirkuk Reunion.
LATE ZARIPA ISAAC ODISHO
Late Zaripa passed away in Toronto, Canada on January 7, 2008 at 4:00 evening, she was born 1921, she left behind her loving sons Odisho, Moshe & his wife Affaf and children, Nicola, daughters Wahida her husband George and children, and Eveline and family.
May the Lord rest her soul in his heavenly kingdom, amen. We express our sympathy and heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends.
Awisha Lazar, January 27, 2008
For the Assyrian School Kirkuk Reunion.
Assyrian School of Kirkuk (Reunion) is very sad to report the lose of one of its permanent members, Mrs. Luba Sheeno, beloved wife of Mr. George Sheeno of Spain, and the loving mother of the bereaved children; Attorney Ramsin Sheeno of Los Angeles, Attorney Ninef Sheeno of Canada and Nineveh Sheeno of England. Luba passed away at Hospital in Mar Bella, Spain on November 22, 2007 at 5:00 early morning, she was a beloved great lady
Luba also left behind her family and friends in Iran and many others in Iraq, U.S.A., and Canada and in many other countries.
Arch-Bishop Younan of Assyrian Church of the East from England did attend and share the funeral services.
Dear Luba, on July 2, 2006 (Chicago) when you were honored with the Sixth Reunion’s medal which was presented to you by His Beatitude Mar Gewargis Sliwa the Metropolitan of Iraq, Russia and Middle East and on the same night you and your loving husband George were honored to proudly ‘Toast the Guests,’ we never thought that was your last presence, no doubt, in our next reunion every one is going to miss your lovely personality.
On behalf of all the Assyrian School Kirkuk (Reunion) friends, we express heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the beloved, bereaved ‘Sheeno’ family, and pray that the Lord would rest Luba in His Eternal Heavenly Kingdom, amen.
Awisha Lazar
RAABI EMMA ADONIA ELIA
Raabi Emma passed away in September 2007 in Washington, Raabi Emma was the wife of the late Raabi Adonia Elia, she left behind her loving children: one son Edmond and four daughters Dolphin, Dina, Augean and Maureen and their families, also many relatives and friends all over United States and abroad.
During 1940s Raabi Emma together with her husband were very active in Kirkuk, they both had a big role in the Assyrian School and Church activities in Kirkuk, Iraq, they both used to arrange Drama and Assyrian folk dances and songs to the Assyrian School students. A Play under the name of “Hamlet Prince of Denmark” was one of the dramas played at the Armenian School Stage on 4-4-1946.
Unfortunately, their activities stopped when Raabi Adonia as a senior staff member in the Iraqi Petroleum Company Kirkuk who was transferred to the Mosul Petroleum Company in Ain Zalah, Mosul (Nineveh.)
Luckily the Assyrian Community in Kirkuk had at the same time another similar active member late Raabi Jiberail Babilla (p.a. January 18, 1957) who, at the same time was the principle of the Assyrian School who carried on the deceaseds’ activities in addition to his own.
Our condolences to the bereaved family of Raabi Emma Elia.
May the Lord Bless.
Awisha Z. Lazar
With great regret, we would like to inform you the death of Matti Petros Odisho
(Abu Martin), on the 18th of June in Sydney / Australia at the age of 77. Late Matti left behind two sons, Martin and Ninos (both in Australia), and two daughters, Nina (Jordan) and Dina (England), three brothers and three sisters. He was the son of Rab Imma petros Odisho and the son in law of Rab trimma Odisho Natan.
Late Matti worked for the Iraqi Petroleum Company IPC for 42 years as an Accountant.
He was a well known member of the Assyrian community in Kirkuk where he served as an active member in the following committees:
1- The Assyrian School.
2- Mar Giwargis chirch.
3- Assyrian sports club.
But his personal favourite achievement and the one that he always remembered with great pride was founding and managing the Assyrian youth football team (Shabab Alathouty), the team that represented the whole Assyrian community in Kirkuk. That team outplayed and beat teams with much greater base and resources.
He continued his services for his beloved community after arriving in Australia. He served as the vice president of the Assyrian Australian Association and he was one of the organising members of the Assyrian school of Kirkuk reunion which was held in Sydney in 2002.
His funeral took place at Saint Hurmizd Cathedral in Sydney and mass services took place in Kirkuk, Duhok, Amman, and London.
His family would like to thank all those attended these services.
May lord rest his soul in his heavenly kingdom close to his most beloved wife, Elizabeth Odisho (Zabbit) who passed away in England back in 1992.
We greatly regret to inform you the death of (Ammo) EMMANUEL GEORGE who passed away on Thursday May 10, 2007 in Kirkuk at the age of 61, Ammo left behind his loving wife Merry and his bereaved children (2 dons sons Gewargis and Karlo, 2 daughters Careen and Carmen.) Also left behind his loving brother Awikam and family in Iraq, sisters Evelyne and Valentine in Iraq, Rosaline in Jordan and Ingrid in Canada. Also 2 nephews Ronny and family in Dubai and Ramie and family in Iraq and many close relatives.
Late Ammo was the son of the Late: George Lazarus (one of the most senior Deacons in Kirkuk) and mother the late Landan (daughter of Malik Andrews of Jelo,) he was son-in-law of Sh. Moshe Sargis of Ontario (Canada).
Late Ammo did work in IPC for 30 years as Senior Operating Planner, he was a Basket Ball player at the Assyrian Club in Kirkuk, all his relatives and friends will greatly miss him!
His funeral took place in Mar Gewargis Assyrian Church in Kirkuk on Thursday May 10, 2007, a Mass service on his soul will be held in Assyrian Churches in Illinois (USA) on Sunday 13, 2007, on the same Sunday another service will be held in St. Mary Church in Toronto.
May the Lord rest the soul of our beloved Emmanuel George in his heavenly Kingdom together with his loving parents, we express our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family and may God bless.
Awisha Lazar
SHAMIRAM DAVID PASSED AWAY IN CHICAGO ON DECEMBER 30, 2006, SHE LEFT BEHIND HER BEREAVED HUSBAND WILLIAM DAVID AND HER LOVING ONLY CHILD (DAUGHTER) CLAUDIA, SHE ALSO LEFT BEHIND HER BROTHER IN PHOENIX (ARIZONA) DAN MARCUS (A.K.A. ESHA DANIEL MARCUS) AND FOUR OTHER BROTHERS: WARDA, ESHO, ENWIYA & ISAAC, LATE SHAMIRAM DAVID ALSO LEFT BEHIND MANY RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.
MAY THE LORD REST HER SOUL IN HIS HAVENLY KINGDOM CLOSE TO HER MOST BELOVED AND ONLY YOUNG SON WHO PASSED AWAY FEW YEARS AGO, OUR SYMPATHY AND DEEP CODOLENCES GO TO THE FAMILY AND MAY OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHIRST BLESS.
LATE SHAMIRAM WAS A STUDENT OF THE ASSYRIAN SCHOOL IN KIRKUK AND DAUGHTER OF THE LATE SHAMASHA DANIEL MARCUS.
I EXPRESS MY APOLOGIES FOR THE DELAY.
AWISHA
I am deeply saddened and sorry to inform the Assyrians of Kirkuk of the passing of our dear friend mnakha Emmanuel Latchin Hermiz. To many of us he was affectionately known as “Noel”. He is the brother of the late Edwar Latchin.
On February 14/2007 Wednesday afternoon and after shoveling the snow in front of his house in Burlington, Ontario Ammo was driving his son to school when he was struck by a heart attacked. He managed to stop the car and his son immediately called for emergency help but unfortunately the paramedics we unable to revive him.
Ammo was 65 years old and he leaves behind his loving wife Karen and two beloved sons Mathew 18 years and Joel 17 years and his brothers Tiadoros and Sam.
To me personally he was a childhood friend from Kirkuk Iraq and our friendship continued in Holland and here in Canada when we both immigrated to this country.
Our Toronto community was very fond of Ammo and his sudden departure leaves a big void. We will sorely miss his ever present smile and his light conversations but will never forget all the memories we shared and those that he left behind.
May the Lord grant him ever lasting life and our heartfelt thoughts and sympathy to his family.
God’s blessings be upon you all.
Filham Y. Isaac
52 years of friendship
Mr. Isaac Esho Alhelani – Deputy Director Iraqi Airways
Mr. Isaac was gunned down by terrorists near his home in Mechanic (Daura) on Wednesday 31, 2007, Mr. Isaac was stopped whilst driving with his wife, he was forced out of the car and shot, the assassins fled with his car.
Isaac was taken to a hospital in Baghdad where he stayed without a necessary treatment, so he was taken to Arbil where he died. His body was later taken by car to his birth- place Kirkuk and buried by his wife, sister, in-laws and many relatives and friends.
Late Isaac was a graduate from an Aircraft Engineering School in Scotland in early 1960s where he studied under a Scholarship from the Iraqi Government. After the completion of his studies with distinction, he was appointed as an aircraft engineer in the Iraqi Airways.
Late Isaac leaves behind his loving family: his wife (Nahrain,) four children from his first marriage: a daughter and two sons in Australia and his youngest son in Syria, escaping from Baghdad after being threatened by terrorists. Also he leaves behind his loving sister Juan in New Zealand, newly widowed sister Margaret (wife Henry Simon) in Kirkuk, his brother Warda and family newly arrivals in Chicago, and many relatives and friends in Kirkuk, Baghdad and all over.
Poor Isaac was a very gentle, a real Christian and loved by all his friends, fellow workers, etc. he will be missed by all. Pray for the Lord to rest his soul in his heavenly kingdom and heartily condolences to his bereaved family, may God bless.
Awisha, by courtesy of
His brother Mr. Warda.
SAD NEWS FROM UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (DUBAI)
Monica Adam passed away on January 2, 2007 in Dubai U.A.E., Monica was the beloved wife of Mr. Albert Oshana Adam and mother of four bereaved children: three daughters: Sonia, Yasmin and Nahrain; and one son: Andreas, larte Monica was at the age of 64. Late Monica and her loving husband left behind many relatives and friends.
May the Lord rest Monica in his heavenly kingdom, amen. For Mr. Albert, his children and the family and friends we express our condolonces and may Gid bless.
Awisha
Hello Old Friends:
With a broken and saddened heart, I herewith wish to inform all my friends and relatives around the world that my beloved long time wife had passed away on Monday morning of May 22nd, 2006 of a cardiac arrest. My name is John Malham Oda, born and raised in beautiful Kirkuk. My beloved departed was Elizabeth Gewargis Youkhana (nicknamed Zabo). We were married on Saturday 10/10/1958 in Kirkuk, at Arrapha Club. She was born in Habbaniyah on April 1943. Her mother Khammy Lazar Doko, who passed away in Oklahoma City in 1986 had remarried the late Odisho Abbo Adam who, as well, passed away in Oklahoma City in 1989. They were both of Tiary Laita (Bnai Rumta). She was ill of heart problem and collapsed very quickly. She is leaving behind two daughters Agnes Mitchum and Jacqueline Oda, two boys Frank Jacob and Ashur Oda. First three were born in Kirkuk and Ashur in Oklahoma City. She also leaves behind four grandchildren Mersadi Mitchum, Christopher John Oda, the twins Josephine and Jasmine Oda. Mersadi is 14, Chris 5 and half, the twin almost two. She also leaves behind four brothers William Youkhana, Toma, Adam and Benyamin (Benji) Abbo, the half brothers. Also three half sisters, Meryam Head, Jenny Hanna and Roza Abbo and thirteen nephews, boys and girls. We were married for 47 years, 7 months and 12 days. The late Edward Latchin was her first cousin. It is the hardest thing for me to accept and still cry for her everyday because we had become more of loyal friends and husband and wife. She was very good wife, mother and sister. She was highly talented and very friendly. Everyone around her fell in love with her. She remembered all her friends especially Alice Toma and her family, now in Australia and our best men Youel Polous and his wife Jenny Gewargis.
Please pray for her pure soul and I will pray for all of you.
Thank you all so much and many thanks for this wonderful website which, I did not know about it until Julie Jarjis, the daughter of Tauris, my wife’s first cousin, told me about it very recently.
May Almighty God bless all the Assyrians of Kirkuk and all others around the world.
John Malham Oda
November 21, 2006
Miss Victoria Khamo passed away in Chicago on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at the age of 78, late Victoria left behind in Schaumburg (Illinois) her brother Mr. Petros Khamo, his wife Miriam and children. In Kirkuk (Iraq) brother Rev. Polos Khamo and family, in Syria her late brother Sh. Maty’s wife and family. Late Victoria also left behind many relatives.
The funeral service will take place at Mar Sargis Assyrian Church of the East in Chicago on Saturday, November 25, 2006 at 10:00 morning.
We pray for the Lord to rest her soul in his heavenly kingdom, and to the bereaved brothers Rev. Polos Khamo (Kirkuk,) Mr. Petros Khamo and to all Khamo family we express our deepest condolences for the loss of their beloved sister.
Mr. Petros Khamo, phone # 847.534.0309.
Awisha Lazar
Recently two persons passed away in Ontario, Canada, but more details are expected from their familes, please:
1. Mariam wife of late Abdulahad, a.k.a. ABI.
2. Younathan Baba, left behind his loving sister LILY (?) in U.K. Late Younathan was an active member of the Assyrian community in Kirkuk, the Assyrian Sports Club in particular.
May the Lord bless their souls in his heavenly kingdom, and to their families we extend our condolences, amen.
Awisha
MAROUSA OSHANA GEWARGIS
A Beloved Lady and Mother Of The Assyrian School Kirkuk
On Friday, September 29, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. Marousa passed away in Kirkuk, the funeral service was held at St. (George) Gewargis Church on Saturday September 30 by Rev. Polos Moshe.
Marousa was born in Salaams, Iran in 1920, moved to Iraq with her mother Golizar in 1934, in 1936 she married the late Mikhael Youkhana.
Late Marousa left behind her two loving Sons: Sargon his wife Lisa and three children George, Janet and Jacklin and their spouses and children in California. Also son Sancherib and wife Marie and son Ninos and family in Kirkuk, Layla in Chicago, Ashur and wife in California, and Shamiram and her husband Ashur and two children in Baghdad.
She left behind Seven Grandchildren and Seven Great-Grand-Children, and a lot of relatives and friends in Kirkuk and abroad.
Late Marousa was by all means a very nice, respectful Loving mother of the Assyrian School, she will be missed by all who knew her, may God the almighty rest her soul in his heavenly kingdom, and to her family we express our hearty condolences, and may our Lord Jesus Christ bless, amen!
Awisha Z. Lazar
An old and beloved friend of Assyrian school Kirkuk Mr. Alphanso Zarip passed away recently in Australia, may his soul rest in peace in the heavenly kingdom and our ord Jesus Christ bless his wife and his family.
Late Alphanso was one of the first who created "seeta hayaranta d'madrashta Atoriyta karkuk" and he did his utmost to the school, late Alphanso was recognized and awarded a medal for his honest services in irkuk at the fourth reunion that took place in Sydney Australia in 2002.
All those who rendered their good services to the Assyrian cause especially the Assyrian school, church and aid society in Kirkuk should never be forgotton as long as this website is kept alive.
Our heartfelt condolences to the family and to the Assyrians of Kirkuk.
Also recently passed away in Kirkuk Zia Polos an old and honest friend who will be missed by his friends and family, may his soul rest in peace in the heavenly kingdom, to his family we express our hearty condolences, amen.