Massoud Namini
March 18, 2009
Today was a very sad day for all of us at Dalian Maple International School. Today we lost a close friend and colleague, Massoud Namini, to a heart attack just minutes before classes began at school. While many teachers arrived on the scene to help out where they could it was sadly not enough to save Massoud. This is the first time I have ever had to deal with something like this as a teacher and it was a very difficult day today. Massoud was a close friend and devoted teacher - he leaves behind a wife and child of 9 years old. Massoud led a very interesting life. Born and raised in Iran he escaped persecution during the Iranian revolution by hiding underneath a truck for 20 hours in order to find safety in Turkey; it was always amazing to listen to his life experiences. He was one of happiest guys I have ever met and I will never forget his high-pitched laugh. While Massoud’s passion for bikes was far greater than mine, for the past year he was a huge force in helping me plan the Tour de Dandong. Words do not do justice for how I feel right now and my main thoughts go to his family - he was a great man and I miss him dearly!
Mr.E, we all felt sad today. It’s really rocked all students.
If you have a chance to go to Xiaonei(kind of facebook around Chinese schools), you will see all the wishes to Mr.Namini although we didn’t have him as our teachers.
Comment by Angel AN — March 18, 2009 @ 11:18 pm
Wish the family were fine. He was a great loss to all of us. May he rest in peace - both in heaven and our hearts.
Comment by Elle — March 19, 2009 @ 8:57 am
The sorrow of Massoud’s passing is felt well beyond the shores of China …. I am stunned at hearing of his passing … my thoughts and prayers go to Anne and Jordan.
I still have vivid memories of Massoud and his electric bike as he rode from Kai Fa Qu to the school …. and we rode past him in the school bus …… he sometimes rode to school on the bus, but mostly rode home in the bus. He will be missed
Comment by Geoff Straker — March 19, 2009 @ 1:58 pm
I am Massoud’s brother and just searching on Internet when I saw this blog. It eases the pain of Massoud’s death when I read this post and comments. In our family Massoud was known as always charming, encouraging, and funny critics about political and social situations. Thanks Mr.E and everybody.
Comment by Mahmoud Namini — March 20, 2009 @ 10:31 am
I was shocked to hear of Massoud’s passing. He was friendly, fun and lovable. My sympathies go to Anne and their son. Massoud had a wonderful rapport with his students. I enjoyed working and partying with him very much. Anne — I am so sorry.
–Kathleen. formerly of DMLS Library, currently in Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Comment by Kathleen O'Grady Rimmer — March 21, 2009 @ 12:34 am
I am another brother of Massoud in Iran.we are all shocked here.There is an Iranian poet “man of a noble spirit never dies…”. Massoud has something more than that.His happy face is always in front of our eyes.
Now he is alive in our heart forever.Thanks everyone.
Comment by mohamad namini — March 21, 2009 @ 3:39 pm
Massoud Namini was my uncle, from my youngest day i have memories of his smile and laugh, he was one of the most influential people in my life. I am honored to have known him, sad to have heard of his passing so early. i know that were he is now he will be welcomed by loved ones.
Comment by Arash Namini — March 23, 2009 @ 8:40 am
I am Massoud’s cousin. The news of his passing was so shocking and sad. Massoud had a great personality; he would always laugh off the most unbearable and difficult conditions.
My thoughts go to Anne, Jordan and Massoud’s family. I also would like to thank the great people of Dalian, who attended his funeral.
Comment by Ebi Jalali — March 25, 2009 @ 11:54 am
I write on behalf of Mehdi Nojoumian’s family. We were deeply saddened to hear about the death of Masoud Namini. We wish to extend condolences to the family of Masoud and especially to his mom and brothers Mahmoud and Mohammad.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and yours.
Peyman
Comment by Peyman Nojoumian — March 31, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
My apologies for late response, I did not have email access for the last couple of weeks. Masoud was my younger cousin by 16 years, yet he taught me many good lessons.
Masoud’s departure is a great loss for all of us I am sure as he was indeed an exceptional human being.
Ever since his childhood of only a few years old when he was chubby- a joyous happy kid with a constant smile that never left his face- a truly jolly chap- inherently smiling nature.
Even after the long and hard years of interrogation & torture, he would still laugh but meaningfully in the face of all hardships as he never lost sight of the ironies of life and always saw the unfolding of events in the context of the bigger picture.
Masoud reminded me of Voltaire, the French philosopher who always laughed as he uncovered the ironies of human spirit.
Masoud was a truly talented, versatile, extremely smart and insightful, yet exceptionally courageous person.
Within a short period of time overseas he had a good command of English and French languages, and later on developed a good notion of Chinese culture & language that fascinated him.
No amount of new things would overcome him, instead he absorbed and enjoyed avidly all new things and new cultural values.
He was one of a very few daring people who would tell things in the face of all straight as he saw them and despised the conventional wisdom of complicity & cover up (what is called in Persian as “droghe-maslehati”), the feudalistic rituals & authority, the insincere behaviour & lack of character, despised “must-mally” or white-washing and questioned the conventional ritualistic values.
He questioned authority, did not bow to feudalistic hierarchies & prejudices and resisted conventional meaningless behaviour.
Thus on and on one would find him questioning the core values, beliefs & issues, constantly unveiling sharp contrasts & opposing views- always providing insight & alternative options for anyone who still cared to pursue knowledge & truth.
His searching mind never entered the common zone of resting lazily, or of being content with his own enormous accomplishments- his thirst for knowledge & new things never quenched.
Masoud will live in our hearts and minds as he lived an exemplary life rich in imagination and revolutionary in behavior that we were all blissed to share with him.
He will live with us all.
Comment by Yusef Jalali — April 5, 2009 @ 8:59 am
Ba Salam,
It sure has been a great tragedy to loose our beloved cousin Massoud. Massoud was a true genuine human being who always put others first and himself last. His laughter was big and his heart was bigger. I remember when our mother was in the hospital, Massoud and Anne, his newly wed wife drove several hundred miles from Canada to visit us in California. His laughter would bring happiness to our lives. We all remember those dark days , or better say, years of sacrificing his youth to make our world a better place to live. Humanity should thank my dear Khale Talat for bringing up children who makes us so proud . Massoud will always be in our thoughts.
with regards,
Maryam jalali
Comment by Maryam Jalali — April 7, 2009 @ 11:51 am
let me tell you a short story.
I remember massoud very well, as it was a short time ago letz say about 35/40 years ago. a talented, humorous, polite and charming guy. well seen by others. Previously was Mahmoud my friend and later Massoud and I’ got closer.
A good pal you could trust anytime. Today is one of the most sorrowful days in my life. Massoud will be with us-
Comment by John (Kambiz) Cardan — May 10, 2009 @ 4:37 am