Nabil Kamel Karkamaz

Nabil Karkamaz, of Boulder, Colorado, passed away surrounded by family and faith, leaving behind a legacy defined by resilience, generosity, and a life fully devoted to service, family, and God. An immigrant, entrepreneur, engineer, and beloved friend to many, Nabil’s story is one of courage, gratitude, and boundless love.

Early Life and Education

Born in Syria, Nabil grew up on his family’s farm, surrounded by olive and fruit trees—an environment that shaped his lifelong values of humility, hard work, and gratefulness for even the simplest blessings. A high school boxing champion, he carried into adulthood that same determination and quiet strength.

Nabil earned his engineering degree from the University of Aleppo before immigrating to the United States with his wife, Sahar, whom he deeply loved and regarded as God’s greatest gift to him. Together they began their American journey with hope, faith, and a shared dream to build a better future for their family.

Once in the U.S., Nabil continued his education with unwavering dedication. He completed a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh and later earned a master’s in civil engineering and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder. Despite these remarkable achievements, he remained profoundly humble—never seeking recognition, only purpose.

A Life of Work, Service, and Generosity

Nabil’s entrepreneurial spirit flourished in Colorado. He owned and operated three restaurants in Boulder—on The Hill, Crossroads Mall, and Pearl Street—bringing the flavors and hospitality of the Eastern Mediterranean to his community. For Nabil, the restaurants were more than businesses: they were places of connection. He often fed people who were hungry, including the homeless who came to his door after hours. He never spoke of these acts; he simply lived his faith through kindness.

Some of the happiest memories for his children were in those restaurants—running through the mall, playing in the arcade, and returning to their father for food, love, and his warm, joyful smile.

Nabil later began a new chapter at Home Depot in Boulder, where he worked for nearly twenty years. To him, it was a second family. He was known for his humor, his positivity, his generosity, and his habit of showing love the way he always had: by feeding people. His coworkers remember him for his big heart, his big laugh, and the way he treated everyone—customer, colleague, or stranger—as a friend.

Community and Civic Life

Nabil was deeply grateful to the United States and to Boulder, the city he called home. He twice ran for Boulder City Council, driven not by ambition but by a sincere desire to give back. He believed in community, service, and being a force of goodness wherever possible. His optimism, kindness, and engagement made him a beloved figure whose presence brightened countless lives.

Family and Faith

At the center of Nabil’s life was his family. He was a devoted husband to Sahar, the love of his life; a proud and nurturing father to Andre and Christine; and a joyful grandfather to Zara, whose laughter and smile brought him immeasurable happiness. He also cherished his time with Christine’s fiancé, Grant, developing a bond filled with humor, warmth, and shared respect. And he adored his golden retriever, Chloe, his loyal companion and best friend.

Nabil carried a profound sensitivity to the suffering of others. When someone he loved was hurting, he felt their pain as if it were his own. He would immediately look for a way to help—whether through guidance, support, prayer, or simply showing up with his quiet steadiness and care. His commitment to the well-being of his family ran deep; his wife and children always knew, at their core, that he would do anything to protect them, comfort them, or ease their burdens. This devotion was not spoken so much as it was lived, every day, in the way he cared.

Nabil lived his faith through quiet acts of service and endless generosity. He was the type of man who would give everything he had—his time, his energy, his resources—to anyone who needed help. He always put others before himself, offering without hesitation and without expectation. If someone was hungry, he fed them. If someone needed support, he gave it. His selflessness was not a gesture; it was his way of being.

Nabil was also known for his unmistakable sense of humor—bold, unfiltered, and absolutely unforgettable. With his family, especially Andre, Christine, and Grant, he could be hilariously vulgar, delivering jokes with a straight face that made everyone burst into laughter. Around strangers, his humor softened into playful charm, instantly putting people at ease. Whether teasing, joking, or offering a witty one-liner at exactly the right moment, he had a gift for turning ordinary moments into joy. His laughter, his mischief, and his ability to make others laugh—often when they needed it most—were central to who he was.

Nabil’s faith guided him in every season of life. Even through illness, he never lost gratitude or hope. He often said, “All glory to God, thank you God, and thank you Jesus.” His unwavering trust and peaceful spirit were a source of strength to his family and all who knew him.

In Memoriam

The passing of Nabil Karkamaz is a profound loss to the Boulder community and to everyone fortunate enough to have been touched by his kindness. His journey—from Aleppo to Boulder; from farmer’s son to engineer; from entrepreneur to beloved mentor and friend—embodies the best of the American immigrant story.

A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, located at 1318 Mapleton Ave, Boulder, CO, 80304, United States. The service is scheduled for November 21, 2025, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.