Dr. Nabil Riad Sahyoun

Dr. Nabil Riad Sahyoun departed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Saviour on November 11, 2024. He is survived by his sister, Sonia (Farag), and children Antonios, Mariam (Matthew), and Bishoy, and was predeceased by his loving wife, Sanaa, and his siblings, Laila (Murad), Nagy (Isis), Hany, and Emad (Nadia). He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Nabil was born on September 24, 1945 in Cairo, Egypt, the second of six children. He was raised in a strong Coptic Orthodox Christian household, and his faith was foundational to his character. He was active in his home church in Shobra Misr, in Cairo, and served as a deacon throughout his lifetime.

He was an academic who studied agricultural sciences, organic chemistry, and plant physiology. He held a MSc from Cairo University, then went on to complete a fellowship at Rutgers University in New Jersey, followed by a PhD at Sorbonne University in Paris, France, and finally a post doctorate at the Pasteur Institute, also in Paris. Nabil was a brilliant researcher, who specialized in fruit sciences with a particular focus on apple and pear genetics.

On January 15, 1979 he was married to his late wife Sanaa, whom he met on Christmas Day through his sister and her dear friend, Sonia. In 1979 Sanaa relocated from Egypt to France to be with her husband. There in France they were actively involved in God’s service; together in 1983 they co-founded St. Mark and St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Marseille, and the St. Anba Rueiss Assembly in Avignon. All together, Nabil lived in France for 17 years, including in Paris, Angers, Montpellier, Avignon, and Marseille.

Nabil and Sanaa settled in Vancouver, BC in 1986, where they started their family. Nabil was a dedicated husband and father. He and Sanaa were married over 38 years.

Nabil came to British Columbia to work in the Okanagan apple industry; he worked as a researcher for Agriculture Canada and had fellowships at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. He had many all-nighters in a lab in Summerland, BC.

Nabil was a loving man with a gregarious spirit. Above all, he was a devout Christian, incredibly steadfast in his faith and in always doing what he felt was right. He did not waver from his convictions. He loved to talk, had a great sense of humour, and a big heart. He was intelligent, independent, and one of a kind. After the passing of his wife, Sanaa, from cancer in 2017, Nabil became the primary caretaker for their son, Antonios, who has special needs. The two were inseparable.

His name means ‘noble’ in Arabic; true to his namesake, he remains an example of good and noble character to us all.

His funeral service will be held on Friday, November 22, at 12:00 pm at St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church, Surrey (104 Avenue at 125 Street), followed by a burial at 2:30 pm at Gardens of Gethsemani Cemetery (32 Avenue) in Surrey, BC.

“You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.” Psalm 73:24

“Now my eyes saw You.” Job 42:6

“Rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation, and steadfast in prayer.” Romans 12:12

“For soon it is gone, and we fly away.” Psalm 90:10

“Give thanks in every condition, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20

“The good man out from the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good.” Luke 6:45

“...I say to you, do not worry about your life ... but seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:25 & 33)