It is with the deepest sadness that our family announces the passing of our beloved Suat Ismail Gursel. Suat lost his battle with cancer at 78 years old after a year-long fight. He was home, surrounded by family when he passed away peacefully.

Suat was born April 4th, 1943 in Istanbul, Turkey where he lived with his parents Çavit Gursel and Julide Guclu Gursel, who both precede him, and his younger brother Serdar Sait Gursel. At 19 years old, Suat joined the Turkish Navy, where he served from 1962 -1964 reaching the rank of Yeoman Second Class (Astsubay Kıdemli Çavuş).

Suat married his sweetheart Firdevs Behice Canbolat of Kadıköy, Turkey on October 6th, 1970 and they recently celebrated their 51st Wedding Anniversary together. A year after their wedding, Suat and Firdevs emigrated from Turkey to the United States, settling in Brooklyn, New York. Suat and Firdevs both became American Citizens in the 1970s. In the late 1980s, Suat and family left the New York area and moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Over the years, Suat has worked in a wide and interesting variety of trades and careers. From serving in the Navy, performing in Nightclubs as a singer and musician, working in the Hospitality Industry, providing expertise in servicing and repairing precision medical equipment, Suat was an extremely handy and hard working man who took pride in his work, and continued to work until his illness required him to rest.

Suat had a number of passions and pursuits. He was a musician and enjoyed music of all kinds, and even performed in night clubs as a young man playing the keyboard and singing, but if you knew him this undoubtedly won't surprise you! Suat was also always an active person, from dancing, tennis, golfing, and especially playing and watching his favorite sport, "Proper Football" (Soccer). Suat was a lifelong fan of Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü, the Fenerbahce S.K. Football team based in Istanbul, Turkey. If there was a Soccer match on television, regardless of the league, teams, or language of the broadcast, there was always a good chance that it was on Television at Suats house.

Suat and Firdevs recently moved into their current community of Monterrey Yacht and Country Club in Stuart, Florida where Suat instantly became a well known and much loved member of the community. Known for his kindness, helpfulness, and humor, after years of joking that he would never take up golf, Suat began golfing in his new community and proved to be a quick study. He enjoyed playing with his wife and neighbors, and became an excellent player.

While Suat enjoyed all of these pastimes and pursuits, the most important thing in his life was his family. Suat is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Firdevs Gursel, his two daughters, Çim Julide Dolan and her husband Brian, Burcin Fatos Gursel-Byrne and her husband Brendan, his three Grandchildren, Connor Aydin Dolan, Sean Evren Dolan and Bodhi Ismail Gursel-Byrne, his brother Serdar Sait Gursel and Sister-in-Law Sibel Ayten Pelit Gursel, as well as numerous In-Laws, neighbors and friends from around the world.

Suat Ismail Gursel will be sorely missed by all who have ever known him. Until we meet again….

There is no planned memorial service, but p lease feel free to share a remembrance or message of condolence with the family through this online guestbook.