Jonathan Noah Akbar Nikzad

Jonathan Noah Akbar Nikzad (24) passed away on November 15, 2022. Born December 28, 1997, in Massillon, OH, he was the son of Arsalan Nikzad and Jane Leonard-Hathaway. He was preceded in death by his sister, Natalie Shireen Nikzad, grandmothers, Mary Steigerwald Leonard and Taj Kamaly, and grandfather, Aliasghar Nikzad.

Noah is survived by his parents, Arsalan Nikzad and Jane Leonard-Hathaway; stepfather, Tom Hathaway; his siblings, Katherina (Jon) Nikzad-Terhune, Michelle Nikzad, Emily Nikzad, Ryan (Amber) Nikzad, Olivia Nikzad, Mercedes (Zach) Nikzad Schira, and Dane (Maddie) Nikzad. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, whom he adored, Evan, Jeremy, Clare, Samuel, John, and Noah Terhune, Claudia (Sean) Alamo, Anatiqa and Ceasar Mallcheck, Arya and Kennedy Nikzad; grandfather, Fr. Samuel Leonard, IVE; loving aunts and uncles, Catherine Leonard, Dan and Rose Leonard, Marion Leonard, Paul and Kim Leonard, Peter and Susan Leonard, Dave and Margie Keller, Maddy Leonard, Nick and Tracey Leonard, and Eric Leonard. Noah treasured moments with his cousins who were also his dearest friends, Josh, Jake (Teresa), Lucas (Jenn), and Jesse Kuhn, Tessa (Jeremy) Boak, Sara and Hannah Leonard, Rachel Keller, Erin and Samantha Brannan, and Sara Dorsey and Victoria Leonard.

Noah graduated from Tuslaw High School in 2015. He was a devoted and dependable employee of Starrett Service Inc. in Massillon, where he was loved and treated as family.

Noah was loved and cherished by his family and loved his family dearly. He truly was the best of us. As a member of St. Barbara’s Catholic Church, Noah was a faithful servant of the Lord. He was a beautiful artist, had a passion for music, enjoyed playing the drums, loved family gatherings, and had a tremendous ability to make people laugh and smile. Noah had a generous and thoughtful heart and was always the first person to help others. His kindness and empathy were unmatched, and he was a true gift to this earth. We love you forever, our honorable Noah.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, November 19 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church (2813 Lincoln Way NW, Massillon, OH 44647). A Mass of Christian burial will begin at 12:00 pm immediately following calling hours at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church. Noah’s grandfather, Fr. Samuel Leonard, IVE, will officiate. Burial will take place at Brookfield Cemetery following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) Foundation, cdlsusa.org.