Mudhafar Ismail Bakri

Muzafar Ismail Abrhim Mohamad Albakri

It is with a peaceful heart that we share the passing of our dad this morning, April 17th.

Mudhafar Ismail Bakri was born on December 25, 1934, in Basra, Iraq. He was one of fourteen children, and after a devastating epidemic claimed the lives of his three oldest siblings, Mudhafar became the eldest son. From a young age, he carried a deep sense of responsibility to support his parents, to protect his family, and to lead with quiet strength. These early experiences shaped the man he became.

He grew up in Iraq, in a time, place, and way of life very different from our own. In the early 1960s, Mudhafar moved to Chicago to study air conditioning, intending to return to Basra to start his own company. God, however, had a different plan. At a dance class, he met a beautiful Irish woman from Minnesota, Colleen McIntyre. They married shortly thereafter, just six weeks later, and began a life together that would span nearly six decades.

Mudhafar and Colleen raised four children, Brian, Theresa, Colleen, and Timmy, spending their early years in and around Chicago before moving to Van Dyne, Wisconsin, in the late 1970s to create a different kind of life for their family, one grounded in simplicity, hard work, and togetherness. Every choice he made was based on his family.

Our dad taught us by example. He showed us that almost anything could be built or fixed with what you had on hand. He taught us the value of saving, patience, discipline, and living within your means. He worked tirelessly so his wife could be home with their children, so there could be a family vacation each year, weekends of camping, and even acres of farm animals to help feed his family. Allowances were small but meaningful, and spending wisely was part of the lesson.

He took his role as the head of the family seriously. His greatest hope was to guide his children toward education, opportunity, and a life fuller than the one he had known. Above all else, he believed family came first. When he chose to stay in this country rather than return home, he gave everything he had to the family he was building. Nothing mattered more.

Family was the foundation of Mudhafar’s life. No matter what had been said or done, he believed family endured. He lived his faith through forgiveness, humility, and the belief that we are all broken and all worthy of love. He taught us the importance of honoring your father and your mother, of keeping your heart open, and of never turning your back on family. Raising his family in modern America was a complete departure from how he was raised. Differences in customs, language, and opportunity brought challenges, yet he evolved, learned, and came to understand that time together mattered most and that love was always more important than the mistakes we all make.

His home was always open to his grandchildren, and they came. Sleepovers, bus rides, babysitting days, sporting events, and everyday moments that mattered filled the house. There were few days when grandchildren were not there, helping Jiddo build something or simply stopping by because he needed a hand. He and Colleen were deeply involved in the lives of their children, grandchildren, and later, great grandchildren. He believed children were God’s greatest gifts and that with love, guidance, and presence, they could become and do anything.

While we will deeply miss our Jiddo, he leaves behind Arabian bedtime stories, countless photographs, treasured memories, and a spirit that lives on in all of us.

Mudhafar is survived by his wife of 63 years, Colleen, their four children, thirteen grandchildren, and sixteen great grandchildren. He is also survived by many siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews around the world who will mourn the loss of a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and family patriarch.

A private Islamic funeral will be held in accordance with Sharia traditions.

Final Qur’anic Closing

O peaceful soul, return to your Lord, well pleased and pleasing to Him.

Qur’an 89:27–28

And We have enjoined upon mankind kindness to parents.

Qur’an 46:15

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.

Qur’an 3:103

Arabic with English

يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ

ارْجِعِي إِلَىٰ رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَرْضِيَّةً

(سورة الفجر ٢٧–٢٨)

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ إِحْسَانًا

(سورة الأحقاف ١٥)

وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا

(سورة آل عمران ١٠٣)

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.