Dr. Jalal Afnan

January 22, 1935 — March 18, 2024

Dr. Jalal Afnan lived for his loved ones until his last breath. He passed away peacefully at home in the early hours of March 18, 2024, at age 89. He was surrounded by the love of his extended family, including his wife of over 60 years, Maureen (nee Whalen); siblings Parvaneh, Naysan (Nosrat), and Mehran; children Tara (Jobie), Kevin (Danielle), Brian (June), and Ariana; and his grandchildren Fallon, Patrick, Molly, Alex, Ashley, Isabel, Samantha, and Mackenzie, who lovingly called him “Papa.” He was also cared for in his final hours by his beloved Rezaee family, Diana, Roya, Rod, and Alana; and his nieces and nephews, Hedieh, Mehrdad, and Tom.

Jalal was born in Abadeh, a small village in Iran outside of Shiraz, in 1935. He was a member of a renowned Baha’i family and a direct descendant of the Baha’i prophet, the Bab. He attended medical school at Pahlavi University in Shiraz. While studying medicine, he met Hassan Rezaee, who would become another brother to him. The two chosen brothers immigrated to the United States together to further their medical training and careers.

After graduating medical school, he came to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1961. He pursued a general surgical internship at St. Vincent Charity Hospital in Cleveland before pursuing his residency in Otorhinolaryngology, as well as Head and Neck Cancer and Facial Plastic/Reconstructive Surgery at Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.

While at Downstate Medical Center, he met Maureen Whalen, a young Irish nursing student from Brooklyn. It was a surprising union of two worlds colliding. Their meeting was the spark that would ignite decades of building a beautiful life and family together. Six months later, they were married. In quick succession, Gerard and Tara were born in Brooklyn.

They then moved to Cleveland for the advancement of Jalal’s medical career. Shortly after, Kevin was born. The family of five settled into what seemed to be an idyllic life in Cleveland Heights, making lifelong friends, including the Ansari family. He planted his roots in the neighborhood, bringing his brother, father, mother, sisters, nieces, nephews, and other family members over from Iran prior to the Iranian Revolution in the 1970s. As the family was growing, an unexpected tragedy occurred. The elder son, Gerard, was shockingly killed in an accident at age eight. His passing devastated them; but shortly thereafter, the family grew to include the two youngest children, Brian and Ariana, bringing a new chapter.

Dr. Afnan operated as a solo practitioner in the Cleveland area for over 35 years. Affectionately known as “Dr. Honey,” he was adored by his thousands of patients and highly respected by his colleagues. He was a leader in the International College of Surgeons, serving as President of the United States Section in 1994. As Chairman of the ENT Section, he was intimately involved in continuing medical education for others. He and Maureen traveled the world teaching other physicians for over 20 years.

He retired from medicine when he became “Papa” in the late 1990s. Though he never truly retired, continuing to perform ears, nose, and throat exams in his home clinic for his friends and family. He always said his eight grandchildren gave him a new sense of life. He enjoyed traveling with his young grandchildren, spending time in his beloved Siesta Key, Florida. His hours were spent beachside building sandcastles, walking Crescent Beach, and feeding the seagulls with his pride and joy.

His love of the outdoors led him to retire in Waite Hill, where he spent hours planting his life in the country. He enjoyed riding the tractor and fishing with his grandsons and planting his garden with his granddaughters. He spent countless hours in his barn workshop, where he and Maureen built and designed birdhouses to create a beautiful bird sanctuary on their property. He was the center of the universe for his family.

He was a gentle, loving, man who always put everyone ahead of himself. His concern for others was always at the forefront of every conversation. He embraced everyone with kindness and light, making them feel like they were the most important person in his life. He is now at peace and reunited with his parents, Ali Mohammad and Ridvan (Monsef); his younger brother, Mehroodin; his son Gerard; and his chosen brother and lifelong best friend Hassan.

Family and friends will celebrate the loving life of Dr. Jalal Afnan at the DeJohn-Flynn-Mylott Funeral Home of Willoughby Hills, 28890 Chardon Road (between Bishop Road and Rt. 91) on Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 5:00-7:00pm.

A Baha’i Memorial Service will immediately follow at 7:00pm.

Livestreaming available below for those unable to attend the service.

The family will hold a private burial service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute.

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Dr. Jalal Afnan

January 22, 1935 — March 18, 2024

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