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5600 Carroll Canyon Rd
San Diego, California
Wafa Assaf passed away on August 2, 2014, at his home in La Jolla. He was born June 12, 1937, in Beirut, Lebanon, and attended local schools and the American University of Beirut. Growing up on the shores of the Mediterranean, he was an accomplished track and field athlete, swimmer and lifeguard at AUB.
He started his banking career in 1960, joining Bank of Beirut & Arab Countries. In the early 1970s, he joined Chemical Bank of New York when it expanded operations into Lebanon for the first time.
Wafa met his wife, Nancy Corbin, when she joined the library staff at the American University of Beirut in 1968. They were married in April 1969. His sons, Kamal and William, were born in Beirut, and the family relocated to La Jolla in November 1975 due to the expanding civil war. He soon joined Bank of America, first in its International Banking Office, later serving as Branch Manager of the 5th & Market, Hillcrest, and Point Loma branches before retiring in 1992.
His sense of humor, boundless energy and generosity will be most remembered by many La Jollans. He excelled at cooking Middle Eastern food, a skill he taught himself, and shared food often with neighbors and friends. Wafa loved sharing the Lebanese culture with others. He was a devoted family man, attending his sons' sporting events faithfully at The Bishop's School and Whittier College and La Jolla High School, where his son, Kamal, coached basketball. Wafa participated in the annual Rough Water Swim for many years, and he enjoyed robust health and exercise. His proudest accomplishment was establishing his legacy of love within his family.
Wafa is survived by his wife, Nancy; son, Billy; son, Kamal, and his wife, Dr. Leila Rhodes; granddaughter, Angelica Danielle; sister, Amal Madany; nephews, Dr. George and Huda Madany and family, and Camille and Emma Madany and daughters; and niece, May and Dr. Sam Elsheikh and daughters.
A memorial service is planned on Saturday, August 16, 2014, at 2p.m. at La Jolla Presbyterian Church, 7715 Draper Avenue, with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.
A memorial service in his hometown church in Monsef, Lebanon, is also being held this week.
The family asks that any gifts in his memory be directed to The Bishop's School Financial Aid Endowment Fund, 7607 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla, CA 92037.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by El Camino Memorial – Sorrento Valley and El Camino Memorial Park and Mortuaries (Sorrento Valley).
May God be with you in this time of grief. I'm sorry for your loss. Psalm 18:18.
September 4, 2014
My condolences for the loss of your loved one. May you find comfort in good memories and family and friends support.
September 1, 2014
We are very sorry to learn Wafa is no longer with us. He was very kind to our family throughout the years we lived on Mesa Way, and especially when our mother died. We send our condolences. May you find peace and comfort at this difficult time. -The Blankenship Family
Stephanie Blankenship
August 28, 2014
Wafa was very dear to us. His memory will stay with us and certainly with all who have had the privilege to know him and to meet him. He was larger than life, his smile even larger and his generosity and hospitality even more so.
We loved your hummus and the fig jam. The fig tree you gave us will forever remind us of your strength and your go-getter attitude towards life.
Wafa was a handsome and kind gentleman with a beautiful family around him.
We shall miss you very much.
Erik and Lara
August 25, 2014
Wafa was very dear to us. His memory will stay with us and certainly with all who have had the privilege to know him and to meet him. He was larger than life, his smile even larger and his generosity and hospitality even more so.
We loved your hummus and the fig jam. The fig tree you gave us will forever remind us of your strength and your go-getter attitude towards life.
Wafa was a handsome and kind gentleman with a beautiful family around him.
We shall miss you very much.
Erik and Lara Baloyan
August 25, 2014
You have my deepest sympathy. May the God of loyal love comfort the family during your time of sorrow 119:76.
Pat
August 22, 2014
It has been said that what's in the heart is the true measure of a man. Even from only a few brief encounters, I will always remember Wafa as larger than life... a man so full of goodness, honor, charisma, and integrity. And now his spirit lives on in the hearts and lives of those he touched. The life and legacy of Wafa Assaf will forever shine brightly through the lives of all who knew and loved him.
Rob Devlin
August 17, 2014
Mr. Wafa Assaf is a man I will remember forever. My first encounter with him was at Whittier College in 1991 where I witnessed his culinary skills firsthand as he lovingly transported a variety of Lebanese dishes to Kamal at Whittier College. His food was well-received by all of us and I was instantly hooked. But even more than being a talented home cook, Mr. Assaf was a loving, inclusive, intelligent man whom I felt honored to know. He and his wife Nancy have also been so wonderfully hospitable as we have visited their house for dinner, brunch, etc. during our visits to La Jolla. Bob and I have often said Mr. Assaf could own his own restaurant but he made his food with love for others, not money. He even gave a handwritten book of some of his delicious Lebanese recipes to me that I shall cherish forever.
Wafa always struck me as someone who had such great devotion for his family and such pride in his sons, my friend Kamal and his brother Bill. His loving spirit, guidance and knowledge will be certainly missed but no doubt he has left an enduring legacy with his loved ones.
Brooke Daggett
August 16, 2014
Dear Nancy,
We were saddened to read about your husband's passing. Our condolences to you and your family.
The Schlam family
August 13, 2014
Wafa has physically disappeared but his memory will remain alive for a long time to come. In this difficult time, my thoughts and prayers are with his family. May his soul rest in peace.
Gilbert Hage
August 13, 2014
Wafa and family!
So sorry for your loss as our thoughts are with you all! So many fond memories of neighbor parties and holiday get togethers where your hummus was a hit. Many prayers
The Robbins/Kaylie/Dinelli families
August 11, 2014
Dear Nancy, Kamal & William,
Luz and Dan Culp and family will keep you in our prayers. Love to your family during this difficult time.
August 11, 2014
We will miss you a lot Wafa- Much love from your friend Margaret Lieb.
Margaret Lieb
August 11, 2014
August 09
To the family and friends. I am sorry for your loss. I pray you have the support you need at this time of bereavement. 1Thes.5:17
August 10, 2014
May the God of all comfort who gives peace be with your family and friends. (Romans 15:33)
August 10, 2014
Surely Wafa is whipping up his award-winning hummus to every one of the heavenly hosts! What a blessing to have known this generous spirit so in love with his family and with life. What a gift to make every individual he touched feel so singularly special and like his very best friend. Nancy, Kamal and Billy, while I know that you will miss him sorely, Wafa will live in your hearts forever and his indomitable spirit will continue to shine brightly through you. I embrace you with all my love.
Gloria Baker
August 10, 2014
Dear Nancy, Kamal and William,
We just learned of your loss of Wafa - your husband and father - great friend to so many of us. We found this from Psalm 92-
"The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar in Lebanon"
Our vision of the four of you is flourishing among the palm trees - and always brightening our neighborhood. Greatest sympathy and condolences -
- Dick & Jan Davis
August 10, 2014
I'm sending my condolences to the Wassaf family may you have peace and strength during this time. Become our arm every morning, our salvation during times of distress. Is.33:2
August 9, 2014
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Wafa. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this time of grieving.
Shanta Sarlin
August 8, 2014
Wafa was such a kind and giving man. He cared for his family very much. He made the best food because it was made with love. He will be missed.
Giselle Rhodes
August 8, 2014
I knew Wafa as an associate at Bank of America. As District Manager I had all branches in north, east county and the desert. Wafa worked for another Dist. Mgr. but was impressive and we became friends. He was a true gentlemen, aggressive and an excellent branch manager. He was a class act and Bank of America was lucky to have him. Don't worry, Wafa is already networking and building relationships in heaven. My prayers are with the family.
LARRY GEERDES
August 8, 2014
Wafa was an amazing man of intelligence, integrity, faith, family values, courage, patriotism and love. We will miss him ... and his friendship, magnificent Mediterranean cooking and enormous hugs. He was a role model in so many ways. We send our love and condolences to Nancy, Kamal, Bill, Leila and Angelica ... and all of Wafa's relatives and extended family.
Michael and Carlyn Briggs
August 8, 2014
We note Wafa's passing with the recognition that this was a good man, who bridged two cultures successfully. He was a fine father to his two sons. He was a man of strong opinions and many successes, some of the most recent ones were in the kitchen. We will miss him. Our love to Nancy and the boys.
Ronn & Dotti Garton
August 8, 2014
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