Nimr S. Ibrahim

Nimr Sulayman Ibrahim, 84, entered eternal life on April 25, 2025 in Montclair, New Jersey, surrounded by his family.

Nimr grew up in a loving family in Jerusalem, the youngest of five siblings. He excelled academically and was a graduate with the highest distinction of St. George’s Anglican School in Jerusalem. From there, he attended the American University of Beirut, Lebanon on an UNRWA scholarship where he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in History and completed a PHD program in Middle Eastern History. He wrote his dissertation, but because of the war in Lebanon in the 1970s, he did not have the opportunity to defend it.

Professionally, he first left his mark as a beloved and favorite history teacher and chairman of the Social Studies department at International College in Beirut and then as Director of Development in the New York office of American University of Beirut. He retired as Senior Vice President for Development in the New York office of International College.

His passions ran deep. A lover of classical music and opera, he was a season ticket holder at the Metropolitan Opera in NY. A faithful reader of The New York Times and the Arabic Press, he knew what was going on in the world and usually preferred discussions of world affairs over small talk. A Brooklyn, NY resident for thirty eight years, he loved strolling the neighborhood, visiting the Botanical Gardens, and was a regular at many local restaurants. An innate teacher, he enjoyed giving college level history lessons to his daughters from his living room armchair. In his later years, he found pleasure in boisterously telling stories from his childhood. He loved to cook for his family, usually asking what they wanted for dinner and making just that. He enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, making himself a cappuccino every morning, trying out new recipes, and patiently tending his garden.

Nimr was a beautiful, kind, compassionate, and elegant man who accepted and welcomed people as they were. He was easy to love.

Nimr was a caring husband and father who leaves behind his adoring wife of fifty years, Marion (Marti) Schickel Ibrahim, whom he met when they were both teachers at International College, Beirut in 1973, and devoted daughters Laila Leszyk (Matthew) and Rima Ibrahim (Camille Préfole). He was the proud and loving Grandfather of four grandsons, Nathan, Timothy and Andrew Leszyk and Samuel Ibrahim Préfole. He spoiled all four of them, with chocolate in the cupboard and a new toy on every outing. Nimr was also loved by numerous nieces and nephews who knew they could count on him to say yes to a bowling or mini-golf excursion. Despite the distance, he cherished his role as uncle to his brother’s four children in Jerusalem.

He was the son of Sulayman Ibrahim and Saada Khalil and was preceded in death by his sisters, Naheel, Mary, and Suraya, and his brother, Ibrahim.

Friends are invited to the wake at Maryhill Farm, 85 Ferguson Road, Dryden, NY on Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 10:00AM at Holy Cross Church, 375 George Street, Freeville, NY followed by burial at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Groton, NY.

Arrangements are being handled by Perkins Funeral Home, https://www.perkinsfh.com/