Mahmoud Namdar

Mahmoud Namdar, 84, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday August 26, 2025 at 4:44pm surrounded by his family. Mahmoud was born on June 4, 1941 in Tehran, Iran, the youngest of eight children born to Maasoumeh and Ghasem Namdar. Mahmoud is survived by his wife Jean of over 57 years and their children Madiam (m. Tony), Michael (m. Erin) and Janine (m. Rob), and their grandchildren Kyle, David, Ryan, Michael, Liliana, Braydon, Nyla, and Owen. In Iran, Mahmoud was a world class wrestler who qualified for the 1964 Olympics who, instead, chose to immigrate to the United States in search of a better life. He landed in New York City with only $25.00 to his name and worked as a bus boy, a delivery driver, and ultimately a union worker at the Jacob Javits Center until his retirement in 2000. Mahmoud was a thrill seeker; He went sky diving for the first time at 70 years old, trained with Muhammad Ali, hosted the Iron Sheik when he first immigrated to America, and cherished his camping trips with his nephew, Hamid. He lived the American dream, providing his children with the determination and support necessary to get master's degrees and start their own businesses. Mahmoud, known to his American friends as Mike, was the life of the party. If you were lucky enough to be invited to a pool party at the Namdar Family home in Highland Mills, New York, you were in for a good time. Jean always cooked a feast of both Italian and Persian food and the night would devolve into a Persian dance party or a game of Boose (a simple Persian betting game translated to "kiss" (your money goodbye)) - often both. Mahmoud was a person you could never forget. Years later, people could recall his laugh, his generosity, and stories of his adventures. He loved being around people, and people loved being around him. Mahmoud was a dedicated family man, a caring father and devoted grandfather. He raised upstanding adults through example, teaching them integrity and respect. When it came to his grandchildren, he was a sweetheart that would do anything for them. He was a patriarch that held the family together and made sure that every person felt loved. He will be missed dearly across the world by every member of his extended family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.