Dr. Albert H. Shaheen

Dr. Albert H.
Shaheen
NAPLES, FLORIDA; FORMERLY, UTICA
On July 7, 2015, after a three-year battle with a rare blood cancer, Dr. Shaheen passed away peacefully with his wife and life-time companion, Gloria (Atallah) Shaheen, and daughter, Nancy, by his side. Dr. Shaheen was 85. Dr. Shaheen was a proponent of education and spent decades studying and training to become a professional. After graduating from Utica College, he completed dental school in Buffalo, obtaining his D.M.D. He then opened his own dentistry office in Buffalo and, while practicing as a dentist, began studying oral surgery. He subsequently attended medical school in Buffalo and completed a fellowship in plastic surgery at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Shaheen returned to Utica in 1963 to open his medical practice. Dr. Shaheen served as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Utica and the surrounding areas for over forty years. He was known to, and beloved by, many for the skill, care and devotion he showed his patients. Approximately a decade ago, upon retiring, Dr. Shaheen relocated to Naples, Florida, where he and Gloria enjoyed the milder climate, reading in the shade of the beach, frequent visits from family and - last, but not least, golf for Albert. For most of his career, Dr. Shaheen put in 12-hour or longer days at the hospital, in emergency and operating rooms, and in his office, seeing patients. He loved every moment of his practice. He was known for telling people the truth, regardless of what they might have wanted to hear, and sharing his opinion, solicited or not. Dr. Shaheen was grateful to the thousands of patients he treated throughout his career, who brought him much joy, not to mention home-made treats, and to all those in the community who supported and appreciated him throughout his practice and life. Dr. Shaheen's family is also grateful to his golf partners, who tolerated or encouraged his competitiveness. Dr. Shaheen was one of four children (all sons) of Louise (Hafiza) and Hickel Shaheen, both of whom emigrated to Utica from Lebanon around 1920. His brothers, Dr. Samuel Shaheen and Reverend Joseph Shaheen, both predeceased Albert. Brother Eli Shaheen (and wife Erika) still live in the Utica area, as do some of their six children, Christine, Eli, Sue, Lisa, Lorie, Tammy and their families. Albert is also survived by his nine grandchildren and five children: Dr. Ann Shaheen O'Malley of Maryland, Attorney Simone Shaheen of Utica, Dr. Nancy Shaheen of Utica (husband Kirk Evans), Karen Waters of Massachusetts (husband Greg Waters) and Michael Shaheen of North Carolina (wife Kristen). Brother Eli and cousin George Shaheen still run the family shoe store (Shaheen Shoes) that enabled the family to get a foothold in the United States. Albert's own father passed away when he was still young, and his mother had no opportunity to obtain a formal education. Despite this, Hickel and Louise managed to raise their first-generation children in Utica to live long and fruitful lives, to receive extensive educations, and to go on to careers in medicine, the priesthood and to continue the family business. For many years, while Albert was growing up, the family lived in one house on Pleasant Street with extended relatives, which included retired Supreme Court Judge Anthony Shaheen, George Shaheen, Lamya (Shaheen) Stowens and John Shaheen, as well as other family members. They lived next door to Albert's uncle, Frederick Shaheen (now deceased) and wife, Julia, and their children (Roselynn Dow, Monet, Fred and Julie Shaheen). Albert is also survived by a large, extended family, who currently live in the Utica area (Shaheens and Hobikas, among others), in Michigan (Dr. Sam Shaheen, Peter Shaheen and Attorney Sabrina Shaheen, their mother Patty, and their families, and cousins John and Patty Shaheen and their family) and in Rochester (cousins Theresa Karrat, Rosemary, Anthony and Peter Flihan). The success that Dr. Shaheen enjoyed in life, and the family life he created for his children and grandchildren, would never have been possible without his wife Gloria, whom he loved dearly and who is widely known to be a saint. Albert loved, as well, the close friends who were an honorary part of the Shaheen family (godparents George and Mary Zegibe, Frank Souza, R.N., the Sadallah and Abraham families, to name a few). Albert and Gloria are members of St. Louis Gonzaga Church and have been generous donors to Utica College and many non-profits and causes in Utica. Dr. Shaheen will be sorely missed; many will remember him not only for the indomitable spirit that he demonstrated throughout his life, but also for the life, limb or face that he saved or healed. Calling hours will be at St. Louis Gonzaga Church (on Rutger Street and Conkling Avenue) on Thursday (today), July 9, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will take place at St. Louis Gonzaga on Friday at 10 a.m., celebrated by Chorbishop John D. Faris. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Louis Gonzaga, Hospice & Palliative Care, or the Albert and Gloria Shaheen Scholarship Fund at Utica College. Arrangements under the guidance of the John L. Matt Funeral Home, Chadwicks, NY. To send an online message of sympathy: www.johnlmatt funeralhome.com