NIAGARA FALLS — Nageeb "Gene" Aswad, 85, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away, peacefully, on Thursday,      January 10, 2013. Born on February 15, 1927 in Niagara Falls, NY, he was the son of the late Salim and Helen (Rahall) Aswad.

Mr. Aswad was a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls, NY. Gene, as he was known by family and friends, attended local schools. In 1955, he married the former Agnes Breehey in Binghamton, NY. She predeceased him in 1999. Mr. Aswad retired from Moore Business Forms, where he worked as a Material Handler. Gene was an active member of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church.

Mr. Aswad is survived by his two daughters, Helen Elizabeth (Mark) Panza of Phoenix, AZ and Joanne Sadie (Samuel) Napolitano of Lakewood Ranch, FL; six grandchildren, Mark Jeffery Panza and John Nageeb (Rebecca) Panza, both of Phoenix, AZ, Nicholas Joseph Napolitano of Baltimore, MD, Joseph Samuel Napolitano of Orlando, FL, and Joelle Agnes Panza and Alexander Joseph Panza, both of Phoenix, AZ, and one expecting great-grandchild. Gene is also survived by one sister, Hazel (John) Hepfer of Niagara Falls, NY and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Nageeb will be especially missed by his dear friend, Lillian Travis.  In addition to his parents and wife, he was            predeceased by his sister, Irene (late Solomon) Slaiman and brother, Ferris Aswad.

The family will be present to receive visitors on Monday from 4-7 PM at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 1073 Saunders Settlement Rd., Niagara Falls, NY, where a funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 15th, at 10:00 AM with the Very Rev. Paul Solberg officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT THE CHURCH. Interment will follow in Niagara Falls Memorial Park Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. A Trisagion Prayer Service will be held on Monday at 6:30 PM in the church. If desired, memorial offerings may be made to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 1073 Saunders Settlement Rd., Niagara Falls, NY 14305; or Tidewell Hospice, 1751 Mound St., Sarasota, FL 34236. Arrangements were entrusted to the OTTO REDANZ FUNERAL HOME, 2215 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY (297-9007).

To leave a personal message for the family, please visit www.ottoredanz.com and            www.niagara-gazette.com/obituaries.