"A SWEET AND WARM REMEMBRANCE TABLE ARRANGEMENT was sent on April 16, 2019With our sincere condolences - Zia, Shama, Saif & Farah Omer"
In loving memory of
Naeem Siddiqi
April 6, 2019
Naeem Muhammad Siddiqi M.D., a urologist, refined poet, proud Rhode Islander, and lover of all things family, died on April 6, 2019, at the age of 84, surrounded by loved ones, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
One of nine children, he was born in Lucknow, India, the son of Hakim and Hasina Siddiqi.
Dr. Siddiqi graduated from Aligarh Muslim University in India, and King Edward Medical College in Pakistan. After graduation it was his dream to train and practice in the United States. Through his characteristic hustle, he secured an internship at Lowell General Hospital and moved to the U.S. in 1959. Recognition of his intellect and unrivalled work ethic landed him a urology residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He then served in multiple academic positions including as a teaching fellow at Harvard Medical School and as a research fellow at Roger Williams Hospital.
In 1968, he married Nishat T. Siddiqi, and moved to Montreal to complete a MSc in Experimental Surgery at McGill University. He eventually settled in Cumberland, Rhode Island, where he worked at Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket for nearly 30 years, holding the positions of Chairman of the Department of Surgery and Chief of Urology on two separate occasions. He was also a Clinical Instructor of Surgery at Brown University.
In retirement, he was a voracious reader, frequent blogger, and avid Facebook poster. He loved anything that challenged him, taking up the clarinet and painting late in life and achieving success in both. He loved dining with friends and family, philosophizing about humanity, and reminding all that life is good. His most cherished role of all was that of grandfather to his two grandchildren. His favorite times were the one dedicated week each summer spent with his immediate family in beautiful locations throughout New England, always his treat. His generosity knew no bounds, having sponsored the education of numerous students throughout the world.
In addition to his wife of 51 years, Dr. Siddiqi is survived by eldest son Faraaz Siddiqi of Los Angeles, CA, youngest son Dr. Omar Siddiqi and his wife Elizabeth McCarthy, two grandchildren, Akayla Siddiqi and Zain Siddiqi, all living in Lusaka, Zambia.
A service of remembrance will be held on Friday, April 12, at 6:30 pm at the University Club, 219 Benefit Street, Providence, RI. Free valet parking will be available. His burial took place in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Holt Funeral Home, 510 South Main St. Woonsocket, RI. Those who wish to make a gift in his memory can donate to his son Omars nonprofit organization providing neurological care in Zambia at neurologyz.com.
Tributes
"You were a great individual Dr. Siddiquie. You came to this world and truly made a difference. I remember an hour long conversation with you in which you told me how much you loved the Thanksgiving holiday. We now give thanks for your life. I am also grateful that you were able to save the life of one of my good friend. How many other lives have you touched? Innumerable lives to be sure. You were a very docile, patient person. My condolences to your family and friends. I thank the Almighty for the gift of you. Jocelyn DuBois RN MSW LICSW"
"I had the honor of practicing nursing at Woonsocket Hospital,, Fogarty Memorial Hospital and Landmark Medical Center as a Critical Care nurse and educator for many years. Dr Siddiqui was an exceptional physician and caring individual. He always did all humanly possible for his patients and took time to teach personnel so we could best care for his patients. I remember him with great respect. I am sorry to hear of his passing and send my condolences to his friends and family.Claudette Dubois Jobin RN,MS, CCRN"
"Dr Siddiqi was a rare person. We first met him & his beautiful wife Nishat in 1977 when we moved to RI to commence my fellowship at Brown University. Welcome to Rhode Island, he said in his usual gruff voice, flashing that eternal smile that graced his face forever.Then we became friends. And what a friendship it has been. I learnt a lot from him. Ive never seen this before: a man of his age being invited by a couple in their twenties to a couple in their eighties. And he will go to all of them. Mostly late because of his daily routine of taking a nap late in the afternoon, often having us look - bit agitated - at the door when his highness would arrive. And all that impatience would dissipate in the air when hed walk in wearing that perpetual smile a raising toast, saying Hello Dolly!Dolly was only an imagination but nevertheless an emblematic signal of lets all have a good time. Needless to say he was a life of any party.NaeemSahb- as he was lovingly & respectfully addressed - was a good poet and a philosopher. His secret of longevity was regular exercise and good friends. I once asked this well accomplished surgeon if he had any regrets. He should have retired earlier he had said so that he could enjoy his family and friends longer Money will come back, he had once philosophized to another friend. But time will not come back, so true. And now we miss him like crazy. I think the electronic giant LG owes a big time royalty to Nishat & his wonderful sons - Faraaz & Omar - because it seems they borrowed this phrase from NaeemSahb: Life is Good! Having learnt a few secrets of happiness from this great man actually our lives are Better! Thank you NaeemSahb! Youll live eternally live in our hearts. With Respect & Love, Sattar & Marjorie"