PRINCE AHMED KASSIM

KASSIM Dr. PRINCE AHMED KENNETH KASSIM Born on November 19, 1953 in Freetown, Sierra Leone to the late Mr. Yusef Kassim and Haja Kadijatu Aysha Kassim. In 1971, Dr. Kassim came to the US. He attended Lincoln University and later graduated with a degree in zoology from George Washington University. In 1986, he received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Howard University. His early career was spent at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and PepsiCo. In 1986, he started working at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene where he worked for the next 31 years. During this time, he rose from Supervisory Scientist to Chief and ultimately achieved the level of Deputy Director for Scientific Programs. Devoted husband of 44 years to Yatta Kassim. As a young adult, he worked several jobs while putting himself through school and raising a growing family. During this time, he also helped bring family members over from Sierra Leone. They raised three sons and welcomed into their home dozens of their sons' friends from the neighborhood, providing them with food, a place to stay, money and advice. He possessed many other special qualities, such as being a great counselor, being accepting and respectful of all religious beliefs. and having a wonderful sense of humor. He resided in Washington, DC for over 41 years and passed away on October 4, 2017 after battling cancer. Survived by his mother, Haja Kadijatu Kassim; wife, Yatta Kassim (nee Conteh); children, Ahmed, Yusef, and Jamil; siblings, Mary, Margaret, Amude, and Samira; nieces, Aysha Kassim and Alia Stone; nephews, Essam Kassim, Adnan Kassim, and Alexander Kovacs; grandchildren, Yusef, Jr., Constance, Krista, and Madison; siblings-in-law, Mark Elless, Massah Conteh, and Shirina Kassim; daughters-in law, Kristal, Elise, and Kristen and a host of relatives in Sierra Leone and Lebanon. Viewing will be held Friday October 13, 2017 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD. Memorial Service will take place Saturday October 14, 2017 at the Islamic Society of the Washington Area, 2701 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905, viewing 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; service 10:30 to 11 a.m. Interment, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20906. Viewing will be held Friday October 13, 2017 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD. Memorial Service will take place Saturday October 14, 2017 at the Islamic Society of the Washington Area, 2701 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905, viewing 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; service 10:30 to 11 a.m. Interment, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20906.