Alfie Malik

“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

A. A. Milne / Winnie the Pooh

Dad was a fighter - determined, he had a mission , That mission was I want to go home. March 6, 2021 at 5:02 PM our heavenly father opened his arms and welcome him home.

Gidu was 81 years young. His body had been through it! His heart, soul, mind never stopped. Never stopped planning, organizing, building-adventuring always on his mind. February 16 rescue raced to the emergency room and he was admitted with a positive Covid test and difficulty breathing. He spent time at Saint Vincents Middleburg then transferred by lifeflight to Saint Vincents Riverside the intensive care unit.

We’ve been through regular oxygen cannula, high intensity oxygen cannula oximizers, biPAP, and intubation with a ventilator.

The only thing that was predictable was that we had a lot of unpredictability ahead of us.

His good days were amazing his challenging days were mount Everest at times he overcame many of those days.

Many times I called Samir saying what do I do and he was my rock telling me exactly what to do to help my dad.

And in the end we were blessed to be by his side -racing from my house, in Ponte Vedra to moms house in Greencove Springs back to St Vincents Riverside -on a crazy rainy day.

All the while on speaker conferencing with my dad and the nurse in the intensive care unit who was the kindest most compassionate soul and helped my dad every minute. He listened to the mass and hymns —he listened to our voices comforting him as we raced to get by his side. He held on -the nurse said—you know when you were driving every time he heard your voice his vitals got stronger. We told you our dad is a fighter.

We told him that we were going to be a little bit selfish for a while and asked him to hold on and wait for us.

We were getting mom and we were on our way 2 phones in hand one phone dying trying to find a car charger and work a navigator in a rental car——anyway I wasn’t doing all that and driving because Peter was helping me I was just driving —I promise!

We made it to the hospital. All the while telling dad hold on.

You’re strong you’re a fighter we said!

In our private time on the phone we did tell him that we were proud of him -he was a fighter- he was a survivor -he was strong -he was a good man. We told him that he fought very hard -he was a champion and that no one person we knew could fight that hard. We prayed a lot on the phone that day and many days prior as well.

And then we said it was OK for him to go.

We released him we told dad we release you.

You fought hard and long enough —we release you please go.

We give you the OK to go.

We give you the permission to go. We told him we didn’t want be selfish. God is waiting for you dad-

We wanted him to be here physically with us but did not want to be selfish. He told us his fight was hard. In moments when he had clarity he sang Kyrie Eleison on the phone with his own voice and when he texted us from his phone one night—We thought someone hacked dad‘s phone and he was texting us— XX it was really my dad!

God is waiting for you dad—-Please remember us, please pray for us. Please don’t forget us. And from that moment on we had a new angel in heaven —-star in the sky.

A new intercessor for our prayers to reach St. Mary, to reach God. And if you know my dad he’s going to get those prayers where they need to go he is one determined soul..

Alfie was born in Cairo Egypt.

Gidu joined the boy scouts at an early age. And rose to the rank of Eagle Scout.

In dad’s 20’s - this handsome young man left Egypt and ventured out to Australia to study at the Royal Institute.

Dad was an electrical and mechanical engineer.

Dad was always a leader. A mechanical engineer with General Motors, and when General Motors turned into New United Motors Manufacturing in California he earned many awards and honors of leadership that continued into his career with Lam research.

Gidu held dual citizenship—Australia and United States of America.

Dad immigrated from Egypt to Australia, from Australia to Canada, and then to the United States that was his dream to land in The United States to have opportunity to walk on the Golden Gate bridge. He did that. With many adventures — and many cars in between.

In his spare time he loved to spend time with his family, Dor Dor- Demiana- Adriana.

He also loved to volunteer and serve the church and its community.

Dad was a first generation Coptic Orthodox Christian-he helped acquire and build the first Northern California church; St. Antonious Coptic Orthodox Church.

Dad was a mentor to many youth who wanted to learn about cars and engineering —middle school and high school.

He was always so creative — he created a system of three lawnmowers tied together and mowed the lawn at church.

He was hands on!! He was always ready to work -tools in the back of the car — ready!

He was always ready to serve.

He loved to tinker in the garage creating things!

After dad‘s retirement; he enjoyed driving so much-he used to love to drive the GMC motorhome, he used to love to drive the tour buses through San Francisco meeting new people — he was the best tour guide whenever family would come into town.

Dad and his cousin Albert and Erix while in Australia would purposely wait until 2am when the rain would come down in sheets and then start driving. They loved the excitement and the adrenaline filled adventure ahead of them. My mom would join them as they raced to Port Melbourne to go crabbing, camping out by the waters edge fire side.

He was a kind and loving partner to his spouse- Zakaa , as well as an amazing father to their two children; Hanaa & Peter.

Dad‘s favorite sayings were

“Make sure you go to church—

Did you pray,

Did you try,

Did you do your best — OK.

All that Roderick...

All we want is peace.

Center lane.

And when my brother would speed —he would say —- “you have a heavy foot!”

Aside from being survived by his loving wife, Dad is survived by his daughter: Hanaa her husband Samir his grand daughter Adriana and their cats Parmesan(aka Petingan) Phiggi , & Pumpkin. In loving memory of his favorite buddy ELVIS -dad‘s best friend our golden doodle. He is also survived by his son: Peter Malik his wife Ashley and their two fur babies Jax and Marvin. He is also survived by his sister Asenath & her husband Nabil Kelada and family.. in heaven are dad’s sisters Angel and Alice with her husband Mofreh Boulos. Dad is also survived by his two nephews Ferris and Moody and his wife Melanie and their children. His niece Marilynn and her husband Victor Munoz and their children.

Not to mention all the countless lives he helped along his journey.

Dad loved animals and in his loving memory if you would so desire please donate to the

Following Local Safe No Kill Animal Shelter in Middleburg.

https://safeanimalshelter.com/

Please use Hanaa's email address when making Animal Shelter donations in Alfie's honor. [email protected].

Funeral Service will be held 1pm Saturday March 13, 2021 with 1 hour prior visitation at St. Demiana Coptic Orthodox Church, 100 Bernard Road Jacksonville, Florida 32218. Interment will follow at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park, 7242 Normandy Blvd Jacksonville, Florida 32205.

Reception will be hosted by Hardage-Giddens Riverside immediately following the burial. Please leave words of comfort at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com.

Philopateer Younan is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Mr. Alfie Malik Funeral Service

Time: Mar 13, 2021 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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