Obituary of Emanuel Ashoo

Emanuel (Manu/Manni/Jiddu) Ashoo was born in Basrah, Iraq on December 23, 1930 and was one of 8 siblings. Excelling at school earned him a Mechanical Engineering scholarship to Scotland by the Iraqi Government. He returned to Iraq in 1956, where he met his soon-to-be wife Faika. After one month of courtship, they married on July 27, 1962. In 2022, they celebrated 60 years together. In 1963, he was offered a position in the Kuwait Port Authority because of negotiation and language skills; and as a result, Manu and Faika moved to Kuwait. After 13 years at the Port Authority, he resigned and started his own business, Zain Trading Establishment. Having his hands in multiple pots, he also negotiated terms to bring wrestling shows to Kuwaiti television. He spent the rest of his career running this company with his partner until he immigrated to the US after 23 years in Kuwait. Manu and Faika have 3 children Haitham, Reem, Samir and lost one child who passed away from a brain aneurysm in 1971 at the age of two while on a trip to Iraq. Manu loved to keep busy. The family traveled every summer, twice buying cars from Europe and driving them back to Kuwait. He never passed up a good deal, whether it was a garage sale bargain or finding free treasures on the side of the road. Being a spiritual man, he enjoyed attending, volunteering, and being a part of the church community. At heart Manu was a family man, helping family and friends whenever he could. He left a mark on everyone’s life he touched. He welcomed everyone to his home with open arms and a warm meal prepared by Faika - as long as you left by 8 pm sharp! Manu passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on October 3rd, 2022. He is survived by his wife Faika, sister Amal, brother Mufeed, children - Haitham, Reem & Samir, grandchildren - Courtney, Trent, Katrina, Julia, RJ & Taylor, and great grandchildren - Owen, Callahan & Tallulah.