Albert Saber Saif Obituary

Albert Saif, age 92, went to his heavenly home on May 21, 2025. His devotion to his family and his unwavering faith in his Lord and Saviour supported him throughout his entire life.

Albert was born to Saber and Folla Saif on September 23, 1932 in Minya, Egypt. He was blessed to be part of a loving family with two other siblings and was the youngest of three brothers, predeceased by older brothers Joseph and Philip. His father, Saber, spent his career in the Egyptian civil service while his mother, Folla, was a housewife and busy homemaker.

Albert attended primary and secondary school in Minya. He was very active in church youth group and through that came to know the Lord as his personal Saviour at the age of fifteen. With the sudden and early passing of his mother, Albert moved with his father to Cairo where he was accepted into the Architecture program at the prestigious Ein Shams University.

Upon graduation as an Architect, Albert took up a position in Alexandria and became involved in the local Presbyterian Church. It was there that he met his wife, Samia, through their involvement in the church choir. They had a two-year courtship leading to their marriage on September 28, 1961. That was the beginning of an enduring and wonderful adventure; one that seldom saw them apart. They made their home in Alexandria where their son Samy was born on September 1, 1962. In 1967, discerning the Lord's leading, Albert and Samia made the decision to move to Canada. They settled in Toronto where they quickly became actively involved at Knox Presbyterian Church, which would become their church home and family for the next 51 years. Albert began his career as an Urban Planner with the City of Toronto where he would work for the next 29 years. Samia's professional skills were put to great use in her position as a teacher at Branksome Hall where she remained until shortly before the birth of their second child, Eva, on September 26, 1973. Albert found great joy and fulfilment in being a husband and father. He joyfully added to his roles as his elderly mother-in-law moved in to live with the family.

Church life and fellowship were pillars of the Saif household as all members of the family expanded their involvement at Knox Church and in other ministries including the Gideon's and Campus Crusade for Christ. Albert and Samia had a tremendous heart for outreach, evangelism and exercised their gift of hospitality in support of these areas of ministry. There was seldom a Sunday dinner at the Saif household that did not include guests or newcomers.

The family grew with the addition of daughter-in-law, Sarah, and son-in-law, John. Four grandsons (Ethan, Caleb, Joshua and Benjamin) and three granddaughters (Mikaela, Lauren and Ashley) followed. Some of their fondest memories of their "Teta and Geddo" are the sleepovers where they enjoyed one-on-one time with "Teta" and "Geddo". Both Albert and Samia would relish each moment they had to spend with them. Albert spent many hours in prayer for his grandchildren and encouraged them in their faith, even until his final moments.

Albert and Samia had a very wide circle of friends. Closest and dearest among them were those with whom they shared a strong bond through prayer and Bible study. Even in his later years, Albert relished times with his prayer group. He considered it a privilege to study the Word of God and share those truths with others.

Albert had four great loves in his life; his wife Samia, his family, his friends and above all else, his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He modelled that commitment so consistently. He always trusted Jesus with his family and loved ones through joyful times and in challenging circumstances.

Albert did not consider himself anyone special. But to those of us who knew him, he was an extraordinary man of faith. While he will be deeply missed, we rejoice in the certainty that he is at home with his Lord and Saviour. That was his greatest desire.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 31 at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home & Crematorium located at 8911 Woodbine Avenue, Markham, Ontario L3R 5G. Visitation will be from 10 AM to 11 AM followed by a memorial service and reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mission of Rural Egypt at https://moreegypt.org or to Church on the Everlasting Rock at https://everlastingrock.ca.