Mr. Nassif Sadek Banout reposed peacefully in the Lord in the presence of his family on May 20, 2023 at the age of 90. In death as in life, Nassif maintained steadfast faith, ultimately embracing his passage to eternal life.

Born into a large and loving family in Nag Hammadi, Egypt, Nassif often talked about having immigrated twice. His first was to the bustling metropolis of Cairo, where he was a high school student who then completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cairo University. His second was to New York City in 1969, where he became a pillar of the Coptic diaspora in the United States. It was in the New York region that Nassif launched his professional career as a successful entrepreneur and raised his loving family. 

Deeply devoted to his Coptic Orthodox faith, Nassif led the inclusion of young women and girls in religious education through the Fellowship of St. John the Beloved, which he founded. Upon emigrating from Egypt, Nassif was instrumental in founding the first Coptic Orthodox Church in the United States, St. Mark of Jersey City, New Jersey, and the subsequent flourishing of the Coptic community in the U.S. In 2018, in honor of those efforts, Pope Tawadros II recognized him alongside others of that founding generation in a ceremony in New York.

Nassif continued his tireless service to the disadvantaged, launching an effort to support a medical facility in Hurghada, Egypt.

Nassif is the loving husband to his wife of over 57 years, Nabila, father to Anthony (Tony) Banout and Ann Marie Banout, Father-in-law to Julie Kult and grandfather to three adoring grandchildren – Lucas, Nina, and Leo Kult-Banout, beloved brother to his siblings, and the countless individuals whose lives he touched and legacy will continue to enrich. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Light Candle Care Corporation, the nonprofit organization Nassif established to provide medical care and education to the underprivileged. 

Those wishing to do so may send checks payable to 

Light Candle Care Corp

1 Orient Way, Unit 211, Rutherford, NJ, 07070

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