OSAMA AHMED FAHMY ABOUL-ATTA

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OSAMA (SAM) AHMED FAHMY ABOUL-ATTA, Ph.D. Sam was born in Helwan, Egypt July 25, 1935. He was predeceased by his parents Ahmed Fahmy Aboul-Atta and Wefak Tewfik, an infant sister, brothers Hatem and Waddah, and sister Rawya Fares. His wife Muriel (Rhind) is left with many happy memories of a strong yet gentle person who enjoyed life, thought deeply and cared with sincerity about those in his life. He was greatly loved and respected also by cousins Farouk and Nabil and nephew Ahmed, niece Rasha, second cousin Islam, and many other members of the younger generation in the family. Sam and his Canadian wife enjoyed the warm hospitality of this great, extended family during several visits to Egypt over the 42 years of their married life. After instructing and studying at the University of Alexandria (Egypt) Sam, as a Fulbright Scholar, studied at Stanford University in California and attained his final degree (in Electrical Engineering) at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He came to Canada, acquired Canadian citizenship and was on attached staff at Atomic Energy in Chalk River, Ontario. Thereafter followed teaching and research positions at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George, BC, The Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Alexandria, Egypt, the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba. When he became a first time home owner in Winnipeg, he showed a talent for repairing, carpentry and gardening (being very proud of his roses). He was also a great cook. A succession of cats from several sources provided a delightful addition to the home and loyal companionship for Sam. His final years involved kidney dialysis and he and Muriel were successfully trained in the operation of two different machines and carried out his treatment at home for over two years. Sadly cancer was diagnosed before the newest machine could be brought home. The rapidly spreading disease caused his untimely death on October 16, 2016 at Seven Oaks Hospital, Winnipeg. The nurses, doctors and aides especially in the 3 Dialysis Units, Home Hemodialysis Training Unit and Unit 6, 3rd Floor of Seven Oaks are a very special group of people. They were an integral part of Sam's life for at least four years and inspired and supported him and his wife in many ways. A small, private Moslem funeral has been held and a drop in "Remembrance" tea will be held at a later date at Ralph Connor House in memory of Sam. If friends wish, they may make a donation to the Manitoba Kidney Foundation, the Seven Oaks Hospital Foundation, the Winnipeg Grand Mosque (Waverley Street) or a charity of their choice in remembrance of Sam.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 22, 2016