I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm just seeing it now. Sending all my love to your whole family

I'm deeply saddened seeing that Faris passed away. He gave me my first guitar lessons about 10 years ago and was such an excellent teacher. I had zero knowledge about music and the guitar but he showed me in a way that helped me build confidence and appreciate what playing music can do for your mind and soul. He was extremely patient and kind. And to this day I still play, strictly as a hobby thanks to his lessons. I was hoping to reconnect with him after all of this time to keep building on what I've learned over the years. Unfortunately I was too late. Thank you for everything you've taught me dude. 

I did not have the good fortune of meeting Faris until just earlier this year, having begun guitar lessons with him in September.  Even in the limited time that I came to know him, Faris and his lessons had a profound impact on me and my self-confidence. As musically-disinclined as I am (or initially thought I was), Faris approached my lessons with patience, helping me unlock my inherent musical ability and giving me the confidence to acknowledge and appreciate that ability. Through Faris' thoughtful, patient, and incredibly talented approach to music, I came to look forward to our lessons a little bit more each week, and have discovered that I have a true passion for music. I doubt that I would have unlocked my ability to enjoy my musical journey this much without him. The world has lost a consummate gentleman, and the musical community has lost a great talent. Thank you for your impact, Faris.

I am stunned and shocked to hear of Faris' passing. His talent and passion are irreplaceable. He leaves a hole that will be felt forever. My condolences to the family.

Mr. Faris improved my drumming skills and helped me with my Middle School Rock Band songs. He was a great teacher and musician. Mr. Faris made complex songs easier to play by clarifying how each bar was supposed to be played. He would make warmups for each bar if I still didn’t get it. He informed me about new animation options I could try in order to help further my future career as an animator. He wrote songs, and made albums. Mr. Faris also mentioned going to comic cons with his own original comics. I will miss him.

I am deeply saddened by Mr. Faris’s passing. He started teaching me in fifth grade when I knew nothing about music. As a current high school sophomore, I have learned much from our weekly lessons. It was magical how he broke intricate songs into basic rhythms and notes. He had a gift and passion for music that is still inconceivable to me now. I will cherish our time together and I give my condolences to his friends and family.

We are so sorry to hear of Mr. Faris's passing. Both of our kids have been taking weekly music lessons from Mr. Faris for about 5 years. He used to come to our house but after covid, we switched to online lessons. He made sure that online learning did not have any negative impact. He would ask our kids "how did the practice go this week", and we would all smile, as kids would say "good", knowing they did not practice. He was very patient and would go over lessons again to make sure they understood. 
He was a highly skilled musician and a great teacher. He amazed us with his skills with multiple instruments. He also would talk about his interest in comics and cooking. He once brought us sweets and he liked our Diwali sweets too. 
Our last lesson with him was on Nov 6th and then we missed the lesson on the 13th. We are shocked and saddened to find out about his passing. May god give his family and friends strength at this difficult time. He had become part of our Sunday evening routine and we will miss him and his drum and guitar lessons.

Faris was my mother’s cousin. Unfortunately I did not have the chance to get to know him very well, as I have only seen him a few times, because we lived in different parts of the world. Yet, I still remember every time I saw him he had a smile on his face and was very friendly to everybody. I recall during the winter break of either 2006 or 2007, he was visiting Damascus. He was very interested in seeing archeological sites including mosques and churches, and thanks to him we ended up visiting places we had never been to before. My mother (Rima), brother (Tarek) and I had a great time with him. I really hope he enjoyed it as much as we did. The last time I saw Faris was in January 2018 - during a trip to Dubai for my cousin (Fozi’s) wedding, and as always he was very friendly and loving. My mother, father (Ridwan), brother and I send Khalo Khalil, Tante Gida, Sana and Karim our deepest condolences. We are keeping Faris in our daily prayers. Allah yirhamo and may he rest in everlasting peace.

Recently at the Waterloo Arts Festival I met Faris in person for the very first time although he’s been part of our lives for the better part of the last decade. His student Catherine had an electric guitar which on her own she had exhausted her musical journey with that instrument when she found Faris on line and began lessons. From that point the musical experiences seemed never ending and often expanding to other instruments each one enhancing the other. As our instrument collection grew so too did Catherine’s passion for electric guitar. The musical freedom from decades of strict piano lessons and discipline was nearly beyond words for her. Each week Catherine would prepare nightly and every Thursday afternoon I would receive a thorough report as to which one challenged the other that week. In some cases it might have simply been an hour+ long jam session. Throughout covid Faris faithfully visited on line to continue their musical adventure. Catherine having many music instructors over the years regularly mentioned what an extremely talented and generous teacher Faris was. There was never any detail that was too small to have a vast discussion about. She even brought home a dessert recipe which is now part of our regular menu. Catherine’s journey with her guitar will continue but she will be traveling solo for the time being although I’m confident Faris will join her in spirit at least from time to time. Faris brought joy into our home every week for the past ten years and will truly be missed by us both. Best wishes to all of Faris’ family and friends. 

My condolences to his family. He was one of the best! We played music together for over 10 years.  One of the best band mates I’ve had!! We have gone camping in upper Michigan, New York, and many others.  He loved food, nature, and music.  We had almost another album recorded.  He will be missed immensely!! He was a Burnished star!! 

Faris and I have been friends for a long time.  This is a photo from our bike ride on October 30 on the Maple Highlands Trail.  We did a lot of stuff together.  We made music, we made food, we made beer, we drank beer, we hiked, we biked, we kayaked, we went to concerts, we just hung out.  I can't believe it.  I miss him.  Love to your family.

With perfect pitch, mathematically perfect rhythm, and masterful improvision, generous Faris imparted his genius and gifts. His sweetness of person will be dearly missed, remembered always with admiration and affection. So sorry dearest Faris not to hear your guitar, drums, oud, and voice just now. 

I am so saddened to learn of Faris' passing. My heart goes out to his family and friends.  I was fortunate to have taken guitar lessions from Faris for the past year.  As a teacher, he was inspirational. He could break down musical components/songs into bite-sized pieces and explain concepts so well.  As a musician, he was gifted and actively advanced his own musicianship through learning new instruments.  I loved listening to his improvised leads when I was playing chord progressions.

He was kind, thoughtful and caring (masks always required). As I have difficulty navigating sidewalks in snow/ice he was planning to come to my home (at additional compensation, of course) when winter arrived - his idea.  Such a loss of a fine human being.



Azem Family,
I have only known Faris for a year meeting once a week for guitar lessons. He was such a talented musician and a great teacher. I enjoyed our time together and feel so saddened to learn of his passing. He was truly a great person with inordinate patience.

Dearest Gida, Khalil, Karim and Sana: Walter and I grieve with you, and your family is in our thoughts as will be always. Our most heartfelt condolences, in loving memory of Faris. 

Faris was a special soul. He was easy going and calm yet full of creativity. His love of music was contagious and he shared his passion with his students, friends and family. He recorded his own album and was constantly learning to play new instruments. Every time we were home, I looked forward to him playing music, especially when he and Karim collaborated.

He truly loved cooking and discovering new cuisines. Everything he made was thoughtful and researched, always with the finest ingredients, and of course delicious. When he came to NYC he always took full advantage of the ethnic restaurants, especially ramen and shawarma.

His family meant the world to him. He was always so proud of his father, Khalil and looked up to him. When his mother, Gida, was sick, Faris was the one who helped look after her. Without anyone asking him- he just stepped up whole heartedly. He was a loving older brother to Sana and Karim, always supportive of them and interested in their lives and careers. He was the most welcoming brother in law and made me feel welcomed from the start. Despite his allergies he was also a wonderful dog uncle to Jackson. He always made the effort to visit his family, from New York to Syria to California - he helped us all stay connected.

He didn’t care about frivolous things. While most people are consumed by purchasing the latest brands and products, Faris cared about genuine human connections and finding the simple joys in life. He loved camping and being in nature, going for walks, and took pride in growing and harvesting his own food. 

Faris was such a gentle and kind person. He never spoke ill of others and when someone was suffering it affected him deeply. I’ll never forget how he was there for my family when my father passed away.

I will miss his music, his enthusiasm to share new research and discoveries, his delicious recipes, but most of all I will miss his smile. 

I was his student for six years. I thought no one would teach me, I was 66 and retired. 5 years every week. He was my teacher, my mentor and my friend. I will miss you my Brother.

Dearest Khalil, Gida, Karim and Sana, you are in our hearts and minds and will always be just as Faris was and will always be. Faris was such a delightful gentle soul, never seen him without his kind and inspiring smile on his face, always a true gentleman. Faris had a full and inspiring life who touched everyone who knew him. I know you have great pride in him and we share in that pride as well for knowing him and you. May his loving and beautiful memories bring you peace and strength. 



Dearest Jeeda, Khalil, Sana & Karim
Please accept our sincere condolences for this unimaginable loss. 
We just heard. Our hearts are with you. 
Sawsan & Ali Alhaddad

I'm so sorry for your loss.  Faris was always a friendly neighbor and an impressive musician.  Several of his students stopped to tell me how awesome he was when leaving their lesson.  I noticed Faris was an avid walker and will miss seeng him walking around the neighborhood.  Rest in peace Faris.  You will be greatly missed.

Always enjoyed hearing Faris playing drums and guitar outside his window. He was always rocking and I was very impressed. His clients always seemed to enjoy his musical teaching. He was either playing music or going for walks. I was also very impressed with how much he walked. May his name be a blessing. 

OBITUARY

Faris L. Azem

14 May, 1982 – 11 November, 2022

DiCicco & Sons Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services