Issa Abdallah Maaddi's Obituary
Issa Maaddi, 84, of Maple Shade, NJ, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 11, 2022, after a courageous 5-year battle with lung cancer.
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Issa will be missed by his wife of 53 years, Hayat; children, Shadi (Lisa) and Rabe (Reham); grandchildren, Austin, Gianna, Melina, Alexia; siblings, Juliette, Bassam (Alice), Hanna (Suzan); and dozens of cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. Issa was pre-deceased by his parents, Abdallah and Nasra and siblings, Jaleelah, Wadia, Yacoub, Nasra, and Farah.
Born in Jerusalem, Issa fell in love with learning at a young age. He studied the Arabic language and its literature, became obsessed with reading and began to practice writing poems. As a high school student in 1956, he won first prize for composing the best poem among the Jordanian secondary students in a competition that was organized by Jordan Broadcasting Department. He still recalled that poem in conversations while on his deathbed. Cancer eventually wore his body down. It didn’t affect his sharp mind.
Issa valued education and spent 12 years teaching in Bir-Zeit preparatory school. He was beloved by students who would still call him decades later to give him credit for their success.
Issa married Hayat in 1968, and they immigrated to America in June 1969 in search of better opportunities for their families. In Philadelphia and New Jersey, Issa worked hard to support his family, making sure they had everything they needed. But Issa was always known as “The Teacher” everywhere he went.
Issa’s love for poetry and writing never waned. He wrote for some Arabic newspapers that were published in North America like Al-Bayan, Al-Bustan and Al-Jalia Alarabia, and he published five poetry collections, most of them classic national poetry that portray the pain of the Arab people and their malaise. He recently finished writing his sixth book.
Issa was as generous as he was brilliant. He gave so much to so many but always did it quietly. He had a wealth of knowledge with an expertise in literature, grammar, history and politics. He was genuine, sincere and compassionate. He stressed strong morals and exemplified honesty and integrity.
His children and grandchildren learned so many valuable lessons from Issa. The way he loved Hayat and treated her with honor and respect set the perfect example for his sons on how to be a lifelong partner. Issa inspired them to work harder, encouraged and supported them and motivated them to be successful. Most of all, he taught them unconditional love for their children and the meaning of sacrifice and selflessness. He always put family first ahead of himself. Seeing his grandchildren was Issa’s greatest joy.
Relatives and friends are invited to the visitation 9:30-10:45 AM, followed by mass at 11:00 AM at The Catholic Community of Christ Our Light, 402 Kings Highway N, Cherry Hill, NJ, on Wednesday, August 17th.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, https://www.pcrf.net/
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