Heshmat Sharata

Heshmat Tawadrous Sharata passed away peacefully on October 24, 2021, surrounded by loving family.

His long life was a play in 3 acts.

Act I. One of 6 children born to Tawadrous and Folla Sharata, Heshmat is born on March 1, 1927 in Mallawi, Egypt and grows up to attend the American High School where he becomes captain of the school’s basketball team. Upon graduating, he goes on to attend Cairo University and graduates with a degree in agriculture.

On November 7, 1957, Heshmat marries Marie Nessim Awad and moves to a small apartment in Tahrir Square. Shortly after, Marie blesses him with 2 sons, Harry and Sam. Always the entrepreneur, Heshmat establishes a farm at the foot of the Giza Pyramids which prospers until the Nasser revolution.

Act II. Port Said, Spring of 1966. After a painful decision to leave his beloved homeland in search of a better life for his family, Heshmat, surrounded by his wife, 2 sons, 4 brothers (Isaac, Jacob, Awni, Hannah) and sister (Erada) boards a ship destined for Australia. En route, he befriends three fellow countrymen. They disembark in Yemen for a break only to discover their ship had sailed, leaving them stranded. They eventually board a British ship and find their way to Sydney, Australia. Without money, skills, or knowledge of the language, Heshmat struggles to fit into a new society; holding jobs ranging from ranch hand to high school science teacher. With a handful of other ex-pats, he helps to establish a small thriving Coptic Egyptian community which today exceeds 100,000 members. His love of Australia’s natural beauty was infectious, which he passes on to his sons. Heshmat quickly becomes a leader in the Coptic community; helping new arrivals acclimate to a strange new world, yet something was missing. A sense of isolation and distance from relatives prompts him once again to pull up roots and move his family to America.

Act III. A new start. After liquidating his estate in Australia, Heshmat moves his family to Northern Virginia in 1973, to reunite with relatives who themselves emigrated to America to begin anew. He finally settles down in Bethesda, Maryland, primarily driven by a desire to enroll his sons in the best school district.  Again, with a small handful of ex-pats, he helps build the foundation for a Coptic community by establishing a church in Northern Virginia, and continues helping new arrivals with advice and finding employment opportunities. In 2015, Heshmat and Marie move to Wisconsin to be near his eldest son, Harry, and live out their golden years.

Heshmat is survived by Marie, his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, sons Harry (Mary), Sam (Monica), and four grandchildren, Emily (Kenneth Long), Alexander, Madeline and Natalie as well as extended family and friends.

Heshmat’s impact on his family was significant; passing on a sense of self-reliance, risk taking, a love of nature, and helping others. He opened up a world of opportunity for his sons and future generations, and we are all grateful to him. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Coptic Orphans or the charity of your choice.

"Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master." Matthew 25:21

Services will be live streamed at the following Link:

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony/?c=1089e274-d4ab-4858-b895-bd79380444a3

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Cress Center

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(608) 238-8406