Obituary of Anthony Khoury

Anthony Khoury Anthony Khoury passed away Monday, April 11, 2016. He was 87 years old. His place of residence at the time of death was a Retirement/Assisted Living community in Carlsbad, CA near his eldest daughter. Anthony was most widely known and referred to as "Tony". Tony lived most all of his life in Geneva, NY. He was born in Geneva, June 28, 1929. His parents were Samuel and Julia Khoury. His parents migrated from Syria and made their livelihood in Geneva as business owners of a grocery and liquor store. The stores were open and run long after their passing by their two sons, Tony and Donny. As a child, Tony's life was spent around his family and the running of their family businesses. He was schooled through the Geneva School System, and went on to college receiving a Bachelor of Arts from Hobart and William Smith College in Geneva. Tony went on to be a lifelong teacher at Geneva Junior High School as a seventh grade Social Studies teacher. He was also a bowling coach for the school for many years. He was voted many times throughout his career into the National "Who's Who of Teaching" by appreciative and loving students. He retired in his sixties. Throughout his life he attended and was a member of his beloved St. Michael's Antiochian Orthodox Church in Geneva. His church family meant so very much to him. Tony is a passionate believer in Jesus Christ as Savior to himself and the world. One of his greatest loves and passion was to read and talk about the declaration of Good News of salvation through grace only found in Jesus. He also loved his Masonic Order in which he was a part of the majority of his life. His Masonic brothers at Ark Lodge #33 F & A M were another cherished extended family. Also, he deeply appreciated and loved his comrades at the American Legion throughout the years. Anthony (Tony) Khoury will be remembered by his deep and heartfelt love and devotion of family and friends, his special sense of humor and storytelling abilities, his gift of gab, love for travel, and zest for life. Most of all, Tony will be remembered for his cherished love of his life of sixty-two years, Clara. Anthony and Clara were married on May 8, 1954. He often boasted to all she was his angel given by God for a lifetime spent together of "Absolute Magnificence". Anthony and Clara have three daughters and five grandchildren. Anthony expressed his love to them each and every day. Julie Khoury-Ghaffary, his eldest daughter, is married to Essie Ghaffary and they have Tony's one grandson, Cameron, thirty years of age. Kim is married to Richard Berger, and they have two of Tony's four granddaughters, Chelsea, twenty-eight, and Hallie, twenty three. Claire Anne, the youngest, is married to Tom Gavin. They have his two other granddaughters, Taylor, twenty two, and Olivia, fourteen. Tony's siblings are Donald Khoury (deceased) and Beth Khoury. His sister in-law, Janet and Donald have his nephew and two nieces; Anthony, Julia and Christina. Anthony Khoury's memorial service will be held at Palmisano-Mull Funeral home, 98 Genesee Street, PO Box 185, Geneva, NY 14456, (315) 789-6613, Sunday, April 24. 2016 from 1pm to 4:30pm. Anthony's wife Clara, who cannot fly at this time, will not be attending the services, and will be with his eldest daughter, Julie, in California. Calling Hours with Anthony's daughters, Kim and Claire Anne and their families will be from 1pm to 3pm. From 3pm to 4:30 pm, also at the funeral home, there will be services, celebration and sharing time. Everyone is invited to the podium to celebrate and share memories and love with all in attendance. Father Murphy will lead Trisagion Prayers at about 3:00, and at about 4:15 a Masonic Memorial Service will be held. There will humbly be no supper service or reception held after the memorial service due to long commutes of family back to Pennsylvania and elsewhere. All sympathy notes/cards/reflections and memories of Tony are requested to be sent to the St. Michael's Antiochian Orthodox Church and will be forwarded to Clara in California. Please send donations to the International Orthodox Christian Charities (iocc.org) in lieu of flowers.