Dr. Jacqueline Casale Taylor Basker

Cengiz Akyuz, 41

Akyüz was born in Midyat, Mardin on 15 May 1969 and was married with two daughters and a son. Akyüz, an interior decorator and builder, was also a talented musician.  His congenial and generous personality made him very popular, especially since he was an excellent joke-teller.  He loved to swim, play chess and care for children.  He always wanted to help people in need, and was known as a dynamic, charitable, and cheerful man.  His nature was to help people, and to offer them a cheerful smiling face.  He told his friend every morning “If your bag is full - if you are full of love, joy, hope, peace - let’s leave it and share it with people …”

Yet he was also a skilled craftsman and wrote on the application form for the humanitarian aid flotilla that he could help with “construction works”.  He wanted especially to deliver materials for the hospital and the homeless in Gaza “for the sake of Allah”.