Dr. Sami Ibrahim Boulos

In Loving Memory of DR. SAMI IBRAHIM BOULOS

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live, and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."( John 11:25-26)

The Boulos family announces the passing of their beloved Dr. Sami Ibrahim Boulos

Dr. Sami Boulos, nearly 104, of Old Bridge, NJ passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his side on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

He is survived by his devoted and loving family:

Devoted Husband to his lovely wife of 76 years, Jeanne Boulos

Cherished Father of Kamal (husband of Linda), Fouad, and Michael (husband of Christy);

Admired Grandfather of Benjamin, Christiane, Rebekah, Sarah, and Elizabeth,

as well as numerous nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ibrahim Boulos and Esther Ibrahim Guirgis; his brothers, Roshdy and Saad; and his sisters, Saneya and Samira.

Born in 1922 in Cairo, Egypt, Sami was a member of the Coptic Orthodox community. The Copts are the persecuted Christian minority of Egypt who trace their heritage back to the times of the pharaohs. Sami lived through the upheaval of Egyptian independence, continued British dominance of national affairs, the Great Depression, the rise of Arab nationalism, and World War II. He graduated high school at the age of 15 and later earned his master's degree in education. Deeply committed to his faith, he taught Sunday school as a young man.

He married Jeanne Makari on July 31, 1949. Together they had three children: Kamal, born in Egypt in 1952; Fouad, also born in Egypt in 1958; and Michael, born in the United States in 1964.

Sami first visited America on an educational mission in 1955 and returned in 1957, earning a PhD from the University of Florida. He was one of the first members of the diaspora of Egyptian Christian professionals and intellectuals who left Egypt in the 1950s and 1960s. Dr. Boulos served at the State University of New York at New Paltz from 1960 to 1986, where he was a professor, chairman of the Department of Education, president of the Teachers' Union, and eventually Dean of Education. During this time, along with a small group of other committed Copts, Dr. Boulos helped found the first Coptic Orthodox Church in America-St. Mark's in Jersey City-in 1968. Following early retirement in 1986, he moved to central New Jersey to be part of the growing Egyptian Coptic community in the metropolitan area.

In retirement, Dr. Boulos devoted himself fully to serving God and the Church. He preached hundreds of times in numerous churches and taught at the Coptic Seminary in New Jersey. He also wrote many articles and authored twelve books, most written in English, with several in Arabic. Nearly all focused on matters of faith.

Sami and Jeanne developed deep and lifelong friendships within the Coptic immigrant community. Many of these friends became like family, and over the last years, nieces and nephews were also a constant presence in their lives. In Dr. Boulos's later years, as his energy and outside interests declined, occasional visits to the beach, spirited games of backgammon, and a delightful devotion to the New York Yankees baseball team filled his days. Yet prayer, following the Church's calendar of fasting, reading the Bible, and attending church, always remained central to his life.

Even as his hearing declined and he could no longer fully participate in conversations, he would often launch into spontaneous sermons at the end of family meals. Sami's favorite Bible verse was John 15:5:

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing." This verse reflected his trust in God, his reliance on Him, and his deep conviction that only through God's strength can anything truly meaningful be accomplished.

It seems fitting that Sami would leave this earth on the first Sabbath day after Coptic Christmas. On Christmas Day, Coptic Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, who said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die" (John 11:25–26).

Dr. Sami Boulos was intellectually gifted-a man of integrity, discipline, ambition, and deep commitment to education, to his family and faith. He demanded more of himself than of others. He was blessed by God and used in His service, dedicated to the Church, but above all devoted to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the:

Egyptian American Christian Association (EACA)

PO Box 24114

Jersey City, NJ 07304-0702

If you wish to donate electronically -

ZELLE: eacausa@gmail.com

Chase Bank

ACH:

Routing: 021000021

Operating: 561657613

The EACA is a non-profit, non-political, charitable organization dedicated to impoverished Coptic Christians worldwide; esp. in Egypt and the United States.

***** SERVICE SCHEDULE *****

----- FUNERAL SERVICES ------

There will be a CONDOLENCE SERVICE on Monday, January 12, 2026 starting at 7:00pm until 8:30pm at St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church, 433 Riva Ave, East Brunswick, NJ 08816.

The FUNERAL SERVICE and Prayers will be on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 10:00am immediately after the Divine Liturgy of the Believers which shall start promptly at 8:00AM at St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church, 433 Riva Ave, East Brunswick, NJ 08816.

The INTERMENT will be at Frost Woods Memorial Park located at 336 New Brunswick Ave, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 immediately following the funeral prayers.

May the Lord repose his soul in peace in the Heavenly Jerusalem in the bosom of our Fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Funeral Arrangements are under the respectful care and direction of Funeral Director, Maryann Malak of Ruby Memorial in North Brunswick, NJ. Family & Friends may share memories and offer condolences at www.rubymemorialhome.com