Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. (John 11:25)

Samir Mehani Fanous, age 85, of Farmingdale (formerly of Matawan), went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, as he was surrounded by his family.

Samir was born to Mehani Fanous Shenouda and Aziza Ibrahim Hanna on September 10, 1939, in El Fayoum, Egypt.  The youngest of five children, he was raised in the Coptic Orthodox faith and developed a strong relationship with God from an early age. This relationship deepened during his teenage years when he formed friendships with a close-knit group of friends who were amazingly all named Samir!  They all studied the Bible together, which helped him grow the faith that would become the foundation for the rest of his life.

He studied at Alexandria University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting.  He then moved to Cairo to begin his career at Egypt Air, where he would work for many years as chief accountant.  It was in Cairo that his brother Shoukry introduced him to the love of his life, Alice. On April 30, 1970, Samir married Alice in Cairo, Egypt. Together, they started a family and welcomed their first two children, Nevien and Sameh.

In 1977, Samir relocated his family to Cyprus for a work assignment. A few years later, their youngest child, Michael, was born.  During their time in Cyprus, Samir made many friends.  His face lit up whenever he spoke of his time spent there with his young family.  Those days were among the happiest of his life, and he loved to fondly reminisce about them.

After completing his five-year work assignment in Cyprus, Samir moved his family back to Egypt in 1982.  However, he still wanted to explore more of the world, so he began the process of applying for immigration to the United States. Once their application was approved, the family flew to the US in 1986 and settled down in New Jersey, where they reunited with cherished family and friends who had previously immigrated.

Samir and his family were immediately welcomed by the nearby Calvary Baptist Church, which also happened to be the meeting location for an emerging Arabic church in the area.  Samir and Alice quickly became active members of their congregation and continued faithfully worshipping with them for decades to come.

Samir worked tirelessly to provide for his wife and children.  He sacrificed his time and energy (and oftentimes sleep) to ensure his loved ones were always taken care of.  His children will forever admire, remember, and appreciate all that he gave of himself so that they could succeed.

His kind heart was evident to everyone he encountered.  It was impossible to step foot in his house without being offered something to eat and drink.  Resistance was futile.  “No” was not an option.  He gained immense joy in caring for others and bringing smiles to their faces.

Along with that generosity, he possessed an infectious positivity that was fueled by his faith in God.  He had a constant smile that would often transform into a contagious laugh.  Being in his calming presence allowed all of us to let go of our worries.

Although he often had a thoughtful and quiet exterior, he would regularly reveal his sillier side to those he was close with.  He was a jokester who loved to jump-scare you with a sudden lunge or tell you a funny story. He loved giving people a good chuckle and making them feel at ease.

Later in life, he became the perfect grandpa and wanted nothing more than to spoil and spend time with all of his grandchildren.  He also continued to guide his own children, constantly reminding them to remain focused on their families and not get distracted by the trivial worries of life.

When his wife, Alice, fell ill in 2018, his unwavering strength and dedication were on full display.  He never left her side.  For the two years until her passing, he was with her around the clock, often spending his nights sleeping on an uncomfortable couch at her bedside. He did this gladly and without hesitation to ensure her every need was met.

Samir is predeceased by his dear wife, Alice, and his siblings: Lily, Milad, Shoukry, and Farouk.

He is survived by his children: Nevien (Wilbert) Valenzuela of Holmdel, Sameh (Michelle) of Farmingdale, and Michael (Julia) of Edina, MN.  He also leaves behind nine beloved grandchildren: William, Julia, Jacob, Nora, Layla, Sebastian, Rowan, Lillian, and Tristan.

Samir humbly lived his Christian faith with a gentle and forgiving heart.  He taught these values to his family and set a wonderful example for them.  Although he leaves a hole in all our hearts, the warmth and grace with which he lived his life will continue to inspire us all to be better as we wait to reunite with him one day.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Samir’s life at Holmdel Funeral Home (26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733) on Saturday, June 14. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m.  A graveside service will be held immediately afterward at Saint Gabriel’s Cemetery in Marlboro.

To share a favorite memory or send messages of condolence, please visit Samir’s page of tributes at www.holmdelfuneralhome.com.