Jack Adamo

Shammas Jack (Yacoub) Adamo of Chula Vista, CA., passed away on Saturday, March 7, two weeks before his 96th birthday. After several months of declining health, Jack died peacefully with his beloved wife Rose by his side as they read Psalm 51. Jack’s last words were “amen.”

He is survived by his wife and five children (Lilian Khoury and her late husband Jean of Montreal, Canada; Elias and wife Cynthia of New Jersey; Sonia and husband Joseph Palenchar of New Jersey; Lina Mann and husband Steven of El Cajon, CA; and Michael and wife Pamela of New Jersey. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Jack was born March 22, 1924, in Mardin, Turkey. He was one of four children of father Gabriel Adamo and mother Badriya Kass Elias. He is survived by sister Mary Kass Elias and predeceased by brother Abboud Adamo and sister Rosa Saume.

Jack was young when his father passed away and had to go to work to help his family make ends meet. He took on various jobs, including bookkeeper and bank loan officer

Jack and his beloved Rose were married on June 29, 1958, in Qamishli, Syria, and had their five children within the next 12 years. Jack’s love for his wife and children led him to move his family from Syria to New Jersey in 1974 in pursuit of a better life. Jack used his exceptional math skills to secure an analyst’s position with The Bank of NY, where he retired after more than 25 years.

Beside his strong work ethic, Jack was regarded for a fantastic memory and an infectious smile. Friends and family will remember him as an active church and community leader who was exceptionally kind and compassionate.

Jack was a shamosho (deacon) for many years at Virgin Mary Syriac Orthodox Church in Paramus, NJ, and at St. Paul Syriac Orthodox Church in Santee, CA. He served on the board of trustees of his church’s Syriac school in Qamishli and on the boards of the Virgin Mary Church and TMS Orphanage in New Jersey.

Condolences will be received by the family tonight (Tuesday, March 10) from 6-9 p.m. at St. Paul Syriac Orthodox Church, 8824 Cottonwood Ave., Santee, CA.

Visitation will be held Thursday, March 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. at El Cajon Mortuary, 684 South Mollison Ave., El Cajon, CA.

A funeral mass will be held Friday, March 13, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at St. Paul Syriac Orthodox Church, 8824 Cottonwood Ave., Santee, CA., followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, 4470 Hilltop Drive, San Diego, CA.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorial donations be made to St. Paul Syriac Orthodox Church.

Sonia Adamo