Obituary of Bassir A. Rezek

Bassir A. “John” Rezek, 67, of Latham and formerly of Troy, NY, beloved husband of over 40 years to Nefnafe “Nancy” Dreizi Rezek of Latham, peacefully entered into eternal life surrounded and in the loving care and comfort of the heavy hearts of his family on Monday, September 3, 2018.

Born in Hilan Zagharta, Lebanon, he was the son of the late Antonios and Tamam Habak Rezek and came to Troy as a young man in 1965. He was educated in Lebanon and then graduated from both Troy High School and Hudson Valley Community College, both in Troy.

John retired in 1997 from the New York State Senate in Albany, where he had been employed for 10 years for Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. He had also previously been employed at the former Cluett, Peabody & Co. in Troy for 25 years, at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, the Rensselaer County Department of Social Services Office Building, the Northway Auto-Exchange (Auction) in Halfmoon and was also self-employed with Rezek Enterprises and B & J Auto Sales.

Bassir or “John”, as many affectionately called him, was always ready to play a good game of cards. He was known to somehow always have the winning hand, which those who played with him would always be amazed and would joke with him that he had the fifth of a same card in his hand, when there are only four of each card in a deck. It made for good fun and some heated exchanges. John loved to win at all costs. He also enjoyed the Casino’s, singing, hunting and picking fruits at the orchards from the seat of his convertible while he guided his grandchildren which branch to bend toward him slightly so that he could pick the best of what was available. He so much loved to communicate with his family and dear friends all over the world by calling or texting them all the while using his broken Motorola flip-phone which he would not trade in for anything different. John was also an accomplished bowling enthusiast and was the high-roller having had the highest scores on most occasions in his competitions. He also loved to provide fresh lamb for his family right off of the farm where he would seek it out and have it prepared to take home with him.

Over the years and right up until him leaving us, John - "Bassir", loved spending “brother time” with his brothers. He also loved to remind everyone that, “I am a lover, not a fighter” and was known to ask, “Is there any more home like you?” There was nothing more that he loved more than spending time with his wife, children and then when he was blessed, with his grandchildren. He was the epitome of a “family man.” Each one of us is going to miss him so much in our own special way.

He was a member of St. George Antiochan Orthodox Church in Albany.

Beloved husband of over 40 years of Nefnafe “Nancy” Rezek, devoted father of Johnny (Jihane) Rezek, Jessica (Elie) Balkis, Rosie (George) Karame, Danielle (Elie) Douaihy and Amanda (Atef) Mattar, cherished grandfather of Bassir A., Jr., Antonio, Brian and Julianna Rezek, Cyntia, Georgeo and Angelina Balkis, Natalia, Tatiana and George Karame, Jr., Nancy and Elissa Douaihy and Mariana Mattar, brother of Nazir (Maria) Rezek, Camile (Norma) Rezek, the late Zahra (the late, Hassib) Tlaiji, the late Michael (wife, Adele of Troy) Rizk, and the late Mounir (the late, Novaline) Rizk, nephew of Lemia (late Wahib) Barbera, also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and relatives in Boston, locally and   overseas.

Funeral procession will be depart on Friday at 10:00 a.m. from the Morris-Stebbins-Miner & Sanvidge Funeral Home, 312 Hoosick Street, Troy, NY 12180 thence to St. George Antiochan Orthodox Church,

1 St. George Pl., Albany, NY 12202, where at 11:00 a.m. the funeral Liturgy will be celebrated.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and to partake in the Trisagion service at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday in the funeral home.

Interment will be held in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Troy.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. George Antiochan Orthodox Church, 1 St. George Pl., Albany, NY 12202, in memory of Bassir A. Rezek.

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