Obituary of Ferdi Nadir

Ferdi Nadir, our family patriarch and beloved husband passed away peacefully on January 1, 2022 surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Selma, their daughter Idil (Raji) Sabbagh, sons Mete Jules (Susie) Nadir and Berk (Shamila) Nadir, their seven grandchildren (Elias, Maya, Eliana, Felix, Remy, Leon, Faye), and his sister Gresi Nadir. Ferdi was born on May 14, 1939 in Mersin, Turkey, to parents Alexandra and Jules Nadir. While attending school in Beirut, Lebanon, his father’s untimely death forced him to return to Mersin so he could help out his mother and younger sister, and complete his education at the same time. In the following years, he established himself as a successful businessman. He owned and managed an international shipping and trucking agency, utilizing the sea ports on the Mediterranean, and using Turkey’s crossroads for trucking between Europe and Asia. In 1994, Ferdi fulfilled his ambition to move his family from Turkey to the United States for a better future. He built a home in Farmington Hills, Michigan. In 2004, after all three of their children completed their education in the midwest and settled on the west coast, Ferdi and Selma decided to relocate one more time. They called Seattle home so they could be closer to their children. Years later, family gatherings would be filled with rambunctious grandkids and retelling of a lifetime of memories that Ferdi referred to as his souvenirs. Often, in a moment of pride and disbelief, he would look at mom, and jokingly question whether they really created this family. They did. Even after 50 years of marriage, when asked about the most exciting day of his life, he’d say it was the day he married Selma. In true worldly fashion, Ferdi studied Latin, was fluent in French, Turkish, Arabic and English, and continued to deepen his knowledge of languages throughout his life. In his later years, he worked as an interpreter for hospitals and other translation agencies. He was a lifelong learner who loved to travel, enjoyed watching soccer, was always game for a good barbecue, and a glass of raki. He lived faithfully, gave generously, and his love for his family knew no bounds. We will miss his wisdom and his long, warm hugs. May his memory be eternal. A live-stream service will take place on Friday, January 14, 2022 at 9:15AM (PST-US) at Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in Shoreline, WA For reasons of safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, the memorial service will be attended in-person by family only. For the many friends who live near and far, the service will be broadcast live on the web (Please follow this page for webcast link and other details as needed). In lieu of flowers, The family prefer people make a donation to one, or both of the following charitable organizations. 1) Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church. In the Misc. field please type “In memory of Ferdi Nadir. 2) Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA). - Designation: Specific Clinic, Research Area, Program or Physicians Work - Under notes please input 'Pancreatic Cancer Rsrch. In Memory of Ferdi Nadir" Please watch a tribute video compiled by the family.