Souheil Ibrahim Kandalaft

Our beloved Souheil Kandalaft, MD, of Hartsdale, NY, passed away on December 31, 2022 at the age of 90 in the presence of his family at Calvary Hospital. He was born on November 16, 1932 in Damascus, Syria to Ibrahim and Alice Kandalaft. He was a dedicated physician, loyal and generous friend, and a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
He received his early education in Syria, graduating from Damascus University in 1958. He began his career practicing general medicine before fulfilling his military service, where he served as a 1st Lieutenant in the Syrian Army Medical Corps. He used his scientific training to study and develop radiation detection devices, as well as to build batteries for technical machines. Upon completing his obligations, he set his sights on resuming his medical career.
He came to the United States on November 14, 1960 and continued his medical training at Mercy Hospital in Canton, OH. He then took up his surgical training at St. Clare's Hospital in New York City in July 1961, where he served as Chief Resident of the Surgical Services and then as a Special Fellow for the Department of Experimental Surgery before becoming a surgical attending. He passed his surgical boards in 1969 and was accepted as a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons in 1971. He served on the medical staff of several hospitals and organizations including: St. Clare's, Frances Schevier Nursing Home, St. Luke's Roosevelt, St. Joseph's, The Joint Industry Board of the Electric Union in Queens, he was the physician for the student body and the Christian Brothers at Manhattan College, and he maintained a private surgical practice in Manhattan.
In addition to the numerous lives he benefitted, some of his professional achievements and accomplishments included: co-authoring an article in 1966 on the merits of a modified radical mastectomy, being an early pioneer in the use of electrocoagulation of cancer of the rectum, he was a Clinical Professor of Surgery at New York Medical College and a Professor of Surgery at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, he served as both the Director of Surgery at St. Clare's from 1992-99, the Director of Medicine for the Joint Industry Board of the Electric Union in Queens, and he was inducted as an Affiliate of the Christian Brothers in recognition of his service to them over the years as their physician.
He pursued many interests and hobbies: a love of music and movies, stamps, coins, history, travel, and chip carving. Aside from the love he had for his family and friends, he was obsessed with tennis. On the court he devastated opponents with his wicked underspin, earning him the infamous nickname "The Mad Slicer" from both friend and foe.
He now joins the love of his life, his wife Ruth (who he affectionately called Ruthy), who predeceased him four years earlier. Together they shared a real life love story with 53 years of marriage. Souheil was thunderstruck when he first saw her as a nursing student rotating through St. Clare's Hospital. From that moment on she remained on his mind as, "The most beautiful girl in New York." Their affection grew and flourished and they were married on May 28, 1966. Their relationship was filled with adventures and travel, laughter and love, and was blessed by the birth of two sons, Fareed and Charles. He was predeceased by his sister Alba Kandalaft and is survived by his brother Farid Kandalaft, sister-in-law Samira Kandalaft, sister-in-law Sandra Cave, brother-in-law Warren Cave, as well as his daughters-in-law, Stefanie and Christine, and his precious grandchildren Alexander, William, Riley, and Reagan.
He was a kind, generous and caring man, filled with good humor, who loved sharing stories and times with friends and family. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/donations/ways-to-donate.html, and in honor of his memory, please donate blood if you are able.
Services include a wake at Ballard Durand Funeral Home in White Plains, NY on Sunday, February 5 from 12pm to 4pm, and a funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Hartsdale, NY on Monday February 6 at 10am
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