The Modesto Bee

Tuesday

August 7, 2012

B-4

Rouel Iskander Aboona passed away on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at around 10:00pm, at the Pacifica Senior Living Centre in Modesto, California.

Rouel was born in Alqosh, Iraq on November 25, 1925, from father, Iskander Aboona and mother, Shukria Yeldeko. He leaves behind two sons, the older Basil and his wife Jackie in Manteca, California, and the younger Luay and his wife, Lina and their children, Andrew and Alan in Chicago.

Rouel also leaves behind in Chicago, his brother, Adil Aboona and his family, and in Canada, his two sisters, Souad Aboona and Najiba Rafouli and her family. He also leaves behind the families of his late sisters, Habuba and Asia.

Rouel studied law in Baghdad, Iraq. He later left his law practice and worked in business. He was a well-known and influential person among the Aboona extended family. He liked reading books in politics and history and maintained a significant library in such subjects. He was particularly interested in the history of the Assyrians and the Chaldeans. He also enjoyed gardening where he spent a lot of time taking care of his garden especially in Modesto.

He immigrated, together with his late wife Juliette, to the United States in 1985. They lived in Chicago until 2001 and then moved to Modesto where he spent the last years of his life.

Rouel was an intelligent, compassionate and gracious person. And he was humble and caring. He was friendly to everyone and always enjoyed intelligent discussions. He was always ready to help others, morally and financially, particularly family members and friends, poor or otherwise. He always took care of others, especially his beloved late wife, his sons and their families and his extended family. He will be missed by all.

The Mass will be held on Tuesday, August 7th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church, 3005 Sixth Street, Ceres.

Committal will follow in the Turlock Memorial Park, 575 North Soderquist Road, in Turlock.