Obituary of Paul W. Nassar, MD

Dr. Paul William Nassar, beloved husband of Dorothy Nassar, father of sons Josh, Jordan, and Paulie, grandfather of Naomi, Justice, and Janis, passed away on December 30th, 2021. He was 81 years old.

Paul was born in Yonkers on October 17th, 1940, to George and Jemelia Nassar. He was the third of four children and one of three sons.

After graduating from New York University, Paul earned his medical degree at the University of Rome La Sapienza. Since 1973, Paul's psychiatric practice included working as a clinician, an administrator, a lecturer, and as a consultant to various disciplines in both medicine and law. Paul was a Major in the Medical Corps from 1973-1975; Director of Psychiatric Inpatient Services at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital; Founder and Course Director of Psychiatry and Law at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital; partner at Anderson & Nassar Clinical and Forensic Psychiatry; a private psychiatrist for 25 years; and maintained a private practice in forensic psychiatry since 2010.

A proud Palestinian- and Arab-American, Paul did consistent human rights and medical aid work for Palestinians both in and outside of Palestine. Alongside long-time friend and colleague Laila Atshan, he trained doctors in Palestine in PTSD treatment and other specialties of his, and, since the early 1990s, regularly spoke at conventions and conferences with organizations such as the National Arab American Medical Association, the Gaza Community Medical Health Programme, and others. Additionally, Paul sat on the board of the Kahlil Gibran Educational Fund in Yonkers with many other Nassar and Sayegh family members, volunteered with Doctors Without Borders, and aided countless refugees seeking asylum in the United States.

Paul was a voracious reader, avid golfer, lifelong student of medicine and science, loved opera, loved carpentry, semi-pro rugby player, college football player, marathon runner, avid Giants/Yankee fan, loved learning about other cultures, was deeply engaged in current affairs here and abroad, and most importantly, loved spending time with his family and friends.

In July 2021, Paul fully retired to focus on his health and to write his memoir.

Paul is survived by his wife of over forty years, Dorothy Nassar, his brother Philip Nassar and spouse Michele; Sisters-in-Law Helen Schneider and Linda Uruburu; his son Josh Nassar and spouse Amy, son Jordan Nassar and spouse Amir, son Paulie Nassar and spouse Olivia; granddaughters Naomi, Justice, and Janis; nieces Debra Nassar Snyder and spouse Doug, Sarah Nassar Garcia and spouse Matthew; Katie Nassar Harrison and spouse Phil; nephews Dr. Jay Paul Nassar and spouse Jolene, Matthew Serban, Jacob Serban and spouse Danielle; and many great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends.

Paul was predeceased by his older brother, George Nassar, and older sister, Janet Nassar.

Services will be held at Sinatra Memorial Home at 499 Yonkers Ave on Saturday, January 8th at 12 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to Physicians for Human Rights (https://phr.org/) or The Land of CANAAN Foundation (landofcanaanfoundation.org).