Avis de décès de Reverend-Hani-W. Khoury

Reverend Hani W. Khoury, 86, of N. Syracuse, NY has left us to be with the Lord on December 12, 2013. He passed at home surrounded by family. Hani was born in Bethlehem, Palestine to the late Wadi and Marie Khoury on Sept. 4, 1927. He graduated from Bishop Gobat High School in Jerusalem at 15 years of age. He worked for the British Government before leaving Palestine at 21 to work for ARAMCO in Saudi Arabia. In 1954, Hani travelled to the United States to continue his higher education where he met his future wife and love of his life while at college in South Carolina. Hani moved to Upstate New York to finish his BS degree in Economics at Roberts Wesleyan College, obtain his US citizen (1962), entered the United Methodist ministry (November 1963) and earned his Master's of Divinity from Colgate Rochester Divinity School (1967). He was an ordained United Methodist Minister and served churches in South Butler, Butler Center, Port Gibson, East Palmyra, Syracuse (James St. UMC), and Jordan, NY. Throughout his career, he was exceptionally focused on increasing youth involvement in the church. He retired in 1994 after serving as the Chief Chaplain for the VA Medical Center in Syracuse, NY. After retirement he enjoyed keeping busy as a part-time chaplain for nursing homes and rehabilitation centers in CNY, fishing and enjoying his grandchildren, spending the winter months in Lakeland, FL and discovering and developing his artistic skills as a painter. He was also passionate about supporting struggles and injustice in his homeland and was a founding member of the Syracuse Area Middle East Dialog (SAMED), and a member of the Upper New York Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel. Hani is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Margaret A. Khoury (Barnes) and four children: Marie (Michael) Polifrone of Hewlett, NY, Wadi Khoury of Kingsland, GA, Dr. Peter Khoury of Jordan, NY and John (Angie) Khoury of Lenexa, KS. He is also survived by three wonderful siblings: Salwa Nemr of Seattle, WA, Suad Khouri of The Hague, The Netherlands, and Mounir Khoury of Cairo, Egypt. He is also survived by six grandchildren: John and Michelle Polifrone, Hani David and Rhiannon Khoury, and Elena and Nicholas Khoury. He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, (Fawzi and Gazi); and a sister, (Nuha). A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday January 4, 2014 at the Liverpool United Methodist Church followed by a reception in the fellowship hall. Also, a celebration of Rev. Khoury's life and ministry will be held on May 3, 2014 with the location and time of this event still to be determined. Burial will be at the Rural Cemetery in Port Gibson, NY with arrangements being handled by Bush Funeral Home, Elbridge, New York. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Casowasco Camp & Retreat Ministries, c/o UMC Conference office, 324 University Ave. (3rd Floor), Syracuse, NY 13210. BUSH FUNERAL HOME Elbridge 689-6116 Date of Death: December 12, 2013