Aug. 22, 1938 – Dec. 11, 2022

On Sunday, Dec. 11 , at 11:26 a.m., Mufid passed away from complications of stroke while surrounded by his wife, daughters and family at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena. He was 84 years old.

Mufid was born in Haifa, Palestine on Aug. 22, 1938. He was the third child of Faddoul Jameel Kawar and Najla Bassila Kawar (née Jabbour). In 1947, his family moved to Amman, Jordan where, with his six siblings – Walid, Majda, Jameel, Nadia, Issam and Ghassoub – he would spend his childhood years. As a youth, Mufid was known for his sharp intellect, athleticism, sense of humor and his love of music, singing and playing the oud.

In 1957, Mufid moved to Munich, Germany to pursue his education and he would spend the following 12 years working and completing a degree in mechanical engineering from Polytechnic University. He then returned to the Middle East, joining the Consolidated Contractor’s Company (CCC) and becoming a senior plant manager. Over his 25-year career as a gifted and devoted engineer, Mufid worked across the world, overseeing construction projects in Kuwait, Greece, Oman, Lebanon, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Botswana, among others.

In 1970, he married the love of his life Roudaina and they had four daughters – Muna, Nada, Nesreen and Rana – whom he loved fiercely and unconditionally. Mufid instilled in his daughters the value of education and independence and the deep love, loyalty and defense of family. Mufid and Roudaina were happily married for 52 beautiful years and shared an incredible bond rooted in love, laughter, faith, food, music and dancing. They lived in Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Greece and Oman before immigrating to the United States in 1989 to settle in Montrose. Mufid dedicated another 12 years of his life as a faithful employee at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church Center for Children where he was loved and respected by his coworkers and every child and parent he served. Mufid then transitioned to his most cherished role of adoring grandfather to his four grandchildren – Aiden Pirrin, Nina and Josie Kawar – and Samar Caraballo.

Words cannot truly do justice to describe the incredible character of the man who was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and dear friend to many. Among his many amazing qualities, Mufid was best known for his gentle and generous spirit, giant heart and infectious sense of humor. He was truly gifted at re-telling the same jokes over and over while always somehow making listeners laugh! His home was filled with a sense of warmth and comfort, and he welcomed all with open arms and lack of judgment. He will be missed dearly, but never forgotten, as he touched the lives of so many.

Mufid was preceded in death by his brother Walid Kawar, sister Majda Muammar, brother Jamil Kawar, nephew Fadi Walid Kawar, and first cousin once removed Samar Suleiman.

Mufid is survived by his wife Roudaina Fawzi Kawar (née Abboud) and their four daughters: Muna Kawar and her husband Yasir Abdul-Latif and son Aiden Pirrin; Nada Kawar and her two daughters Nina and Josephine Kawar; Nesreen Caraballo and her husband Michael Caraballo and daughter Samar Caraballo; and Rana Kawar; sister Nadia Sanbar, and brothers Issam Faddoul Kawar and Ghassoub Faddoul Kawar.

A funeral service will be held on Dec. 23 at 9 a.m. at St. Anne’s Melkite Greek Catholic Cathedral, 11211 Moorpark St. in North Hollywood with burial at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, followed by a mercy meal at the Cathedral’s hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations benefiting charities and to pray for the soul of Mufid. Please make a donation to St. Anne’s Cathedral and mark in the memo “Prayer for Mufid.”