Issa Ibrahim Farraj
Issa Ibrahim Farraj, 70, passed away on February 16, 2015 in Evergreen Hospital Kirkland, Washington.
Issa was born on July 10, 1944 in Jerusalem. He was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, and a friend to many. Issa enjoyed the simple things in life: family, friends, laughter and a good bottle of Scotch. He was always social, ready with a joke, a smile, and a conversation. Issa touched the lives of many people with his personality, and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 11:00 am at Holy Family Parish Kirkland Church in Washington, in celebration of his life as well as to commemorate his 36th wedding anniversary to Suzanne Farraj, his loving wife.
Issa lived an interesting life and even during hard circumstances he saw only the bright side 
of things. In 1948, at a young age, he left Jerusalem with his mother Hana, and sister Nuha and moved to Lebanon. He graduated in 1967 from American University of Beirut, with a degree in Business Administration. He worked in the Reinsurance Department for most of his professional life. In 1973, he spent a year in Switzerland at Swiss Re Insurance which allowed him to travel around in Europe, visiting numerous places including Italy, France, and the Alps.
In 1976, while working for Arabia Insurance, he met a beautiful woman – Suzanne. They married on February 25, 1979 at a small church in Beirut, Lebanon. Between 1981 and 1986 he traveled back and forth between Lebanon and the United States, finally settling near his sister Nuha in Oregon State in 1986. During that time, he also had two wonderful sons, Karim and Nadim. Both sons were born in Portland, Oregon at St. Vincent hospital. Karim was born in 1984, and Nadim was born in 1986. Shortly after Nadim was born, Issa found a job in Seattle and moved his family to Washington State where they settled on the Eastside. Issa continued working in Insurance until he retired in 2005.
Issa was immensely proud of his two sons, who he adored very much. He saw both Karim and Nadim graduate as Electrical Engineers. He was also able to witness the marriage of Nadim to Haydy in July 2014 and Karim to Rukia in February 2015.
Issa had many talents, hobbies and interests. He was an amazingly brilliant artist and painted beautiful works in oils, acrylics, and watercolors. He was also a gifted gardener and transformed his backyard into a beautiful blooming garden with all sorts of flowers, plants, statues, and walkways. He enjoyed a variety of subjects including history, politics and non-fiction. In fact, it was rare to find a subject that he could not tell you something about. He loved crossword puzzles, Opera and Classical music, as well as cooking (usually pasta). He was also a huge Seahawks fan and was always sporting their logo. Above all, Issa was a 
dynamic, fun and incredibly social person. Going with him to the local Costco was like walking around with a celebrity – everyone would stop by to chat and say hello. He made friends easily and he loved to joke around. He was incredibly witty and had a great sense of humor.
Issa is survived by his wife Suzanne Farraj; son Karim Farraj; son Nadim Farraj; and sister Nuha Rice. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Holy Family Parish Kirkland Church, as well as to the numerous friends and neighbors for their support in these times. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Holy Family Parish Kirkland Church in Kirkland, Washington, details below. When donating online, you may add a message indicating in memory of Issa Ibrahim Farraj.
Holy Family Parish Kirkland
7045 120th Ave NE
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 822-0295
Website: http://hfkparish.com/
17 Responses to “Issa Ibrahim Farraj”
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we are very sorry for your loss. Issa will be missed. May he rest in peace. Our prayers will be with you during this difficult time.
we are very sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace, Our thoughts & prayers with you. Love Shukry Sam’an & Nadia Shami family
Sorry for the loss of Issa. He was a brother, a brother-in-law and friend. I always remember the time we spent together with my sister and the children. You will always be in our hearts we are going to miss you. To my beautiful big sister and my two nephews the memory of Issa will live through you, love you all so much. God Bless you all xxxxxx
Our hearts are so deeply saddened for you’re loss, may God fill you’re hearts with comfort and peace as you go through this difficult time. We will miss Issa we have nice memories of spending time together in Seattle. You’re in our prayers my sweet cousin, God bless you and you’re family.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you in this very sad time of loss. May God give you patience strength. We always remember and cherish the time we spend with you and Issa. We love you, God be with you and bless you.
I am saddened for your loss. Issa was a neighbor, a friend and classmate. He was my best friend and my best man. My deepest condolences to you, to Karim and Nadim. May Issa rest in peace.
Suzanne – Words cannot express the sadness we have for your loss. We pray that you will have comfort and peace during this very difficult time. We love you so much sweet cousin and wish we can be there with you. Our love to you and the boys. Issa had a great smile and always had a joke to tell. He will be missed.
I always remember Issa as a warm hearted man with many diverse interests. Always fun to talk to. With a loving wife and two accomplished sons, he made a mark on life that many would envy.
My condolences to the Farraj family. I very much enjoyed my time working with Issa. Rest in peace.
Cousin ! So sorry to hear of the loss Issa, It’s never easy. May God give you the comfort and peace that you seek and may the soul of your loved one rest in peace , love you and God bless you all !! xx
Cousin Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.I love you so much cousin and I wish I can be there with you.. May he rest in peace!
Or thoughts and prayers are with you Suzanne, Karim, Nadim, Nuha And family. Issa was a dear cousin, neighbor and friend,I am sorry I am not able to be with you at this time. He lives in our hearts and minds. Fond memories of him will stay will stay with us forever! May he Rest in Peace!
Love Wanda and Leonard
My dear cousin Suzanne, you have been on my mind and in my prayers since I heard about Issa. May our loving Lord Jesus Christ give you peace, and comfort your heart during this difficult time of grieving. Our condolences to you, Karim and Nadim. With much love and heart felt sympathy, the Watson family.
Very sad to hear the news of Issa passing away. He was a wonderful person and a dear Cousin. Our condolences to Suzanne, Nadim, Karim and Nuha and family.
May God bless you all and have mercy on his soul. Suzanne, may God give you strength and wisdom to go through this difficult time.
Much Love,
Jack W. Tleel
Please accept my sincere condolence to you, Karim and Nadim. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. May his Soul Rest in Peace.
We are very sorry for your loss. Issa was wonderful person, we will be missed. May he rest in peace. Our prayers will be with you during this difficult time. Our condolences to Suzan, Nadim, Karim & Nuha
Hi Suzanne
I hope you can recognize my name and remember it. One day we were colleges in Arabia is nsurrsnce company in Beirut.
I don’t no why I thought of you today. I searched Google to find out about you beloved husband Issa . I got chok and I am sorry. Just to tell you that he was a very nice person . I found out that you you have two nice beautiful sons.
I do not know what to say, what to ask . I am some how happy that with the help of the Internet can people reach the people he/ she knows.
My condolences even it is late. Wishing you a happy life.
If you like to talk to write to me, I will be very happy to hear from you.
God bless you
Sami