Dr. Modhaffer Khalaf Al-Chokhachy, of Plymouth, Mass. and Newcastle, died on June 1 after a long illness at the Jordan Hospital in Plymouth. At the time of his death his immediate family, including his grandchildren, were with him.
Dr. Al-Chokhachy was born in Kadhimain, Iraq, on April 10, 1930. He came to the U.S in 1948 on a student visa attending Utah State University in Logan, Utah. He graduated with a B.S from Roosevelt University in Chicago in 1952. He was a graduate of Boston University School of Medicine in 1956. He served his Internship and Surgical Residency at Boston City Hospital and then went on to Surgical Research Fellowships with Peter Bent Brigham Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He was a Fellow of Surgery at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. In 1965, he became a member of the Jordan Hospital Surgical Staff. He was Chief of Surgery at the Jordan Hospital where he practiced General Surgery from 1965 through 2008.
He was a Fellow of The American College of Surgeons, a member of the New England Cancer Society, a member of the Masonic Temple, The Shriners, the American Arab Association, The Flycasters and many other organizations. Dr. Al-Chokhachy was an avid fly fisherman and had the opportunity to fish in many parts of the United States, Belize, Mexico, Russia and Alaska. He also loved cooking, gardening, and especially spending time with his family.
Dr. Al-Chokhachy is survived by his wife Carolyn (Coombs) of 44 years; their children, Heather Cronin of Plymouth, Mass., David Chokachi of Los Angeles, Cal., Dr. Robert Al-Chokhachy of Utah, Elissa Al-Chokhachy of Amesbury, Mass. and Evan Al-Chokhachy of Nevada; brothers, Murshid of Kadhimain, Iraq and Moman of Westborough; and many nephews, nieces and grandchildren.
Gathering of friends and family 4-7 p.m., Thurs., June 4 at the Richard Davis Funeral Home, 619 State Rd. (Rt. 3A), Plymouth (Manomet), Mass. Burial will be in Sheepscot Cemetery, Newcastle, 3 p.m., Sat., June 6.
The family kindly requests that no flowers be sent and instead, donations in his memory made to the Boys and Girls Club of Plymouth, 9 Resnik Rd., Plymouth, MA 02360.
On-line condolences may be made at richarddavisfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Richard Davis Funeral Homes, Inc., Plymouth, Mass.
