After he completed 77 years on earth, a blessed deacon, zealous servant, and great father, Dr. Tharwat Bassily, traveled this month in peace to heaven.  After he fought the good fight, he has finished the race and has kept the faith. Finally, the time came for him to enter the place of rest and enjoy the crown of righteousness.

Dr. Tharwat surpassed many people in keeping the commandment of God. His love, sacrifice, and faithfulness to the church were beyond words. We cannot count the number of Coptic churches he played a role in building, inside or outside of Egypt. He financially helped myriads of people. We cannot count all the acts of love, mercy, and charity he performed throughout his blessed life, but undoubtedly they are all recorded under his name in heaven.

Dr. Tharwat was faithful over a few things, so God entrusted him over many things here on earth. In turn, he started to give more, so God blessed him with much more money, and Dr. Tharwat continued his love and charity in an amazing manner, knowing that he was storing for himself unfailing heavenly treasures.

After I came to serve in Chicago in 2009, I met him and sat with him many times. I noticed that his kind heart was full of God's love and that he loved the Church with all his soul. I also noticed that he was so faithful in following the commandments of the Bible, especially giving tithes.

He gave joyfully out of love, and his generosity was beyond description. The late Fr. Isaac Tanios, who built St. Mary's church, told me a story that occurred in the late nineties. Three years after finishing the building of the church, a serious problem appeared: the ceiling of the church was leaking. They got an estimate from a contractor of $70k to fix the roof, and the church bank account was almost empty at that time. Abouna did not know what to do, so he took refuge in prayer, asking for the help of St. Mary. After a few days, a woman from the congregation asked Abouna to pray a special liturgy on Saturday for the first annual commemoration of her departed husband. On that day, Abouna was surprised by the attendance of Dr. Tharwat Bassily; he had come just to take the blessing of St. Mary and did not know that there would be a liturgy on that particular Saturday. After the liturgy, he said to Abouna Isaac, “Usually I do not keep my check book in my pocket, and today I do not know why I brought it!” Then he opened it and wrote a check to St. Mary Church, gave it to Abouna, kissed his hand asking for his prayers, and left. When Abouna opened the check, he could not believe what was written on it. It was for $100k. The amount was enough to repair the ceiling, which is in good condition until this very day.

When we started St. Paul's Mission Church in the beginning of 2012, we needed $350k to purchase the church building. When Dr. Tharwat heard about this need, he helped us by donating $100k, so we were able to buy the building in cash in just one month.

Dr. Tharwat had a big heart enriched by Christ's love; he went about doing good like his Master. He was so rich financially, but he was very humble, holding fast the eternal life, rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share (1 Tim. 6:17-19), so he stored up for himself a joyful and glorious eternal life.

May God repose his pure soul in the paradise of joy and comfort the hearts of the members of his dear family.