Obituary for Matthew Fouad Farag
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Matthew Fouad Farag, 24, of Staten Island, NY passed away on April 21st 2020, at Staten Island University Hospital, North Shore after his long and grueling 7-year battle with autoimmune hepatitis.
Matthew was born in Brooklyn, NY. He is the third of three beloved children to Fouad and Gehan Farag and spent a majority of his childhood on Staten Island. Aside from his parents, Matthew leaves behind his older brother, Kyrillos, his older sister, Marina, and many other loving family members and friends all around the world.
At a very early age, Matthew had a presence about him that drew people to him. He never judged a book by its cover, or found any stranger difficult to befriend. He treated all those around him with the respect and dignity he wished would be more prevalent in the world we live in today. At the young age of 7 he became a deacon in the Coptic Orthodox church and would spend Sunday mornings volunteering with his older brother. In his spare time, he often enjoyed partaking in playing card games, which he almost always won, and playing video games with his friends, who became like a second family to him as they helped him navigate the arduous current that is life.
He never was one for studying in school, though he still managed to excel. His priority was and always has been spending time doing the things he loved. Schoolwork was secondary; to him a passing fad that could not replace time lost and not spent with those he loved. He spent his days simply, whether that be working to help support his father so that he could achieve early retirement, or with his sister, who he loved to go on long drives with. There was not a day that he did not light-heartedly nag his parents, make jokes, and lift the spirits of those around him with unmatched sarcasm and wit.
Kindness was ingrained into his very being, often forsaking the needs of him-self in favor of helping others around him. He sought joy from the intellectual challenges in life. Whether that be from competing to get the highest ranks on the hottest video games, or sitting down and trying to predict the erratic stock market while reading the latest business news announcements at all hours of the day. He prioritized excellence in all things he did. Making the people around him laugh, and trying new foods with the people he loved always brought him joy, because for him smiles were the foundations of new beginnings. He spent his days seeking companion ship and cemented life-long relationships with his dear friends Cody, Richard, Vincent, Ronnie, Carrie, Connor, Joe, and Khalid along with his immediate family members, prioritizing friends and family over any and all materialistic things.
Matthew graduated with a BS in Economics w/a Finance Concentration in Business/Accounting. He graduated with honors at the College of Staten Island while also achieving the Bloomberg distinction. He worked as a stock trader, making investments that helped support his family in all regards, and insuring that they wanted for nothing. He had big dreams planed for a bright future. Matthew near the time of his death was working on bringing his dream to life with his close friends by designing a start-up app, which will be brought to life in his honor. A memorial service was held on April 24th 2020 at St. Mina’s Coptic Orthodox Church in New Jersey. His burial was a private event due to the COVID pandemic.
Those who choose to give a gift to honor Matthew are asked to make a contribution in his name to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, so that other children who are suffering from debilitating disease may be brought happiness to brighten their tough days, and bring happiness to those who surround and care for them while they fight, and if god willing prevail over their disease.
Donations in honor of Matthew Fouad Farag can be accepted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Scroll down below to find a link to the Donation Center.
Funeral Arrangements are under the respectful care and direction of Funeral Director, Christine A. Cuoco
of Ruby Memorial in North Brunswick, NJ. Family & Friends may share memories and offer condolences at www.rubymemorialhome.com
SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING COVID-19
In order to protect the families we serve, our staff and their families and the local and global community as a whole, Ruby Memorial as instructed by the North Brunswick Mayor’s Office and the North Brunswick Office of Emergency Management along with the Governor of New Jersey has implemented many restrictions involving public services. Thank you for all of your patience during these unprecedented times. We will update our restrictions as required based on current guidelines.
Matthew Fouad Farag, 24, of Staten Island, NY passed away on April 21st 2020, at Staten Island University Hospital, North Shore after his long and grueling 7-year battle with autoimmune hepatitis.
Matthew was born in Brooklyn, NY. He is the third of three beloved children to Fouad and Gehan Farag and spent a majority of his childhood on Staten Island. Aside from his parents, Matthew leaves behind his older brother, Kyrillos, his older sister, Marina, and many other loving family members and friends all around the world.
At a very early age, Matthew had a presence about him that drew people to him. He never judged a book by its cover, or found any stranger difficult to befriend. He treated all those around him with the respect and dignity he wished would be more prevalent in the world we live in today. At the young age of 7 he became a deacon in the Coptic Orthodox church and would spend Sunday mornings volunteering with his older brother. In his spare time, he often enjoyed partaking in playing card games, which he almost always won, and playing video games with his friends, who became like a second family to him as they helped him navigate the arduous current that is life.
He never was one for studying in school, though he still managed to excel. His priority was and always has been spending time doing the things he loved. Schoolwork was secondary; to him a passing fad that could not replace time lost and not spent with those he loved. He spent his days simply, whether that be working to help support his father so that he could achieve early retirement, or with his sister, who he loved to go on long drives with. There was not a day that he did not light-heartedly nag his parents, make jokes, and lift the spirits of those around him with unmatched sarcasm and wit.
Kindness was ingrained into his very being, often forsaking the needs of him-self in favor of helping others around him. He sought joy from the intellectual challenges in life. Whether that be from competing to get the highest ranks on the hottest video games, or sitting down and trying to predict the erratic stock market while reading the latest business news announcements at all hours of the day. He prioritized excellence in all things he did. Making the people around him laugh, and trying new foods with the people he loved always brought him joy, because for him smiles were the foundations of new beginnings. He spent his days seeking companion ship and cemented life-long relationships with his dear friends Cody, Richard, Vincent, Ronnie, Carrie, Connor, Joe, and Khalid along with his immediate family members, prioritizing friends and family over any and all materialistic things.
Matthew graduated with a BS in Economics w/a Finance Concentration in Business/Accounting. He graduated with honors at the College of Staten Island while also achieving the Bloomberg distinction. He worked as a stock trader, making investments that helped support his family in all regards, and insuring that they wanted for nothing. He had big dreams planed for a bright future. Matthew near the time of his death was working on bringing his dream to life with his close friends by designing a start-up app, which will be brought to life in his honor. A memorial service was held on April 24th 2020 at St. Mina’s Coptic Orthodox Church in New Jersey. His burial was a private event due to the COVID pandemic.
Those who choose to give a gift to honor Matthew are asked to make a contribution in his name to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, so that other children who are suffering from debilitating disease may be brought happiness to brighten their tough days, and bring happiness to those who surround and care for them while they fight, and if god willing prevail over their disease.
Donations in honor of Matthew Fouad Farag can be accepted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Scroll down below to find a link to the Donation Center.
Funeral Arrangements are under the respectful care and direction of Funeral Director, Christine A. Cuoco
of Ruby Memorial in North Brunswick, NJ. Family & Friends may share memories and offer condolences at www.rubymemorialhome.com
SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING COVID-19
In order to protect the families we serve, our staff and their families and the local and global community as a whole, Ruby Memorial as instructed by the North Brunswick Mayor’s Office and the North Brunswick Office of Emergency Management along with the Governor of New Jersey has implemented many restrictions involving public services. Thank you for all of your patience during these unprecedented times. We will update our restrictions as required based on current guidelines.