It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) announces the passing of its esteemed Board of Trustees member and former President (1995-1997), Nuri Sabuncu on March 2, 2023, at the age of 90 in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Nuri Sabuncu was born in Mersin, Türkiye in 1932. He attended Robert College in Istanbul in 1943 and graduated with a B.A degree in civil engineering in 1955. He earned several sporting honors during school. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1959 with M.S in civil engineering.

After graduation he started working for a construction company as a project engineer. He worked at Wimpey Construction Company as an engineer for Hirfanli dam project. He worked for the State Highway Department as the head of the construction division in Türkiye in1966. After he moved back to the U.S, he joined his previous company as an executive vice president. In 1972 he started his own company that is called Nory Construction. Between 1977 -1981, he owned a soccer team the Rochester Lancers of North American Soccer League. From 1988 to 1995, he joined the American Power Boat Association and competed as power boat racer and won several championships. He started the special Olympics charter in Türkiye in 1982 and sponsored the Turkish Special Olympic athletes at the Baton Rouge Louisiana State university in 1983 and to South Bend India Notre Dame University in 1987.

He had many achievements, such as the World Offshore Championship (1990), Regional Director, Association of General Contractors of America, NY, sponsored several activities of Special Olympics in Rochester, NY and received a Lifetime Achievement Award (2002).

He is survived by his wife Lia and his daughter Ajda. His funeral will be held on March 4, 2023 in Mersin, Türkiye.

The ATAA Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers express their condolences to the Sabuncu family and the Turkish American community.