Ishac Samaan Tanios

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Ishac Samaan Tanios, age 92. He passed away peacefully at sunrise on the 25th of April, 2026 in the presence of his loving children and grandson in Clearwater, Florida, where he resided.

He was born in Luxor, Egypt to the late Samaan and Blanche Marcos on July 21, 1933. At age 15 his family moved to Cairo, where he attended high school and university. Ishac completed officer training during his studies and served in the Egyptian Army during the 1956 Suez Crisis and the 1962 Yemen War. He met Mary Matta Abdelmalek in August 1966, married the same year, and brought their first child, Samuel, into the world in 1968. After his retirement from the Egyptian Army, Ishac moved his family to the United States in 1969. With little money in his pocket, he obtained employment and housing and swiftly brought his young wife and child to Chicago, where they settled near her sister, Linda Mathews. In 1975, Ishac moved his family to Arlington Heights, IL, where his daughter, Diane, was born, and resided there until 2021.

Ishac was loved by all who met him. Not because he gave his love and accolades easily, but because the standard he had for himself was the only standard he knew. His resolute nature, diligence, honesty, and devotion to God marked every task he put his hands to. He quickly excelled in his intended profession of accounting at the Illinois Department of Revenue where he rose to the position of Supervising Auditor. Ishac was a serial entrepreneur, stretching his professional aspirations into real estate and tax consulting after his retirement in 1992.

Ishac was a devout Coptic Christian and founding member of St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Burr Ridge, Illinois, where he served on the church’s board and spent each Sunday serving as a deacon on the altar with his son, Samuel. He read his bible daily and committed himself tirelessly to his church and community. Ishac was the consummate storyteller, often spending hours with friends and family, regaling them with tales from his army days.

Ishac’s achievements were many, but none so great as his family. His love and devotion were unparalleled. A man of simple needs, he never spared his family anything. He is predeceased by his mother Blanche, father Samaan, sisters Isis, Faiza, and Genviev, and brothers Nouzhy, George, Emil, and Shouty. He leaves behind his wife Mary, son Samuel, daughter Diane, grandson Matthew, brothers Samir and Antonious, nieces Entesar, Suzan, and Violet, nephews Simon, David, and Stephen and many adoring grand nieces and nephews, cousins and deeply cherished friends. His compassion and light will live in our hearts forever.

Public visitation will be held at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home the 28th of April 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Sylvan Abbey, 2853 Sunset Point Rd, Clearwater, FL 33759

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/florida/clearwater/sylvan-abbey-memorial-park-and-funeral-home/9854?utm_source=google_my_business&utm_medium=organic

If you have fond memories of Ishac you’d like to share, please do so in the "Add a Memory" section of this website below, and feel free to share with us in person.

Funeral Services will be help at St Mary and St Mina Coptic Orthodox Church on the 29th of April 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

The interment will follow at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park directly following the service. Guests are welcome to join the family for a late lunch in the common hall of the church.

St Mary and St Mina Coptic Orthodox Church 2930 Co Rd 193, Clearwater, FL 33759

https://stmarystmina.org/

For this who cannot attend, the service will be livestreamed on the church’s website.