RIP Dr. Alice Farkouh – Former Principal of Fort Hamilton High School
Update: The wake is at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church at 192 – 81 Street on Sunday, January 4th from 3:00 – 7:00 pm. The funeral is on Monday, January 5th at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s.
Dr. Alice Farkouh, a devoted educator and respected community leader, passed away peacefully on January 1st, leaving behind a remarkable legacy shaped by decades of service and leadership. She was 86 years old.
Born into a Lebanese-Syrian American family, Alice was raised with a deep respect for hard work, family and learning. These values were instilled in her early and guided her throughout a lifetime devoted to education and the people she served.
Alice dedicated nearly fifty years to New York City’s public and parochial schools. She began her career as a mathematics teacher at Port Richmond High School in Staten Island. She went on to serve as an assistant principal at Curtis High School and later at Prospect Heights High School.
For ten years, Dr. Farkouh served as principal of Fort Hamilton High School. During her tenure, she helped expand the school’s identity and opportunities for students, including founding the first Varsity and Jr. Varsity football teams and the PSAL Varsity Football Championship. She took great pride in guiding the school’s growth, noting that enrollment increased from 2,400 to 4,200 students, making it one of the largest high schools at that time.
Fort Hamilton High School credited the modernization of the school to Dr. Farkouh’s and students are leaving memories of: https://www.instagram.com/p/DS_O5htjbUF/?img_index=1
Alice later served for nine years as principal of A. Fantis Parochial School on State Street in Brooklyn. After retiring in 2015, Alice taught at the College of Staten Island.
In 2010, Alice told her story in her memoir, Never Say You Can’t: Memoirs of a Lebanese-Syrian American Educator. The book reflects on her upbringing, her career, and the people who shaped her life. Its title was inspired by a lesson given to her by a teacher early on — to bury the word “can’t.”
Dr. Farkouh once said: “The most important thing to remember is your roots, teaching your children basic values, and never giving up on your passion for what you truly believe in. Never say ‘I can’t do it.’ “
Dr. Alice Farkouh’s influenced the lives of many students and educators in NYC. Her life was one of purpose and service. May her memory be a blessing. Prayers for her sons, daughters and grandchildren.
Hugs,
marlene
Topics: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
January 2nd, 2026 at 2:33 pm
Dr Farkouh was my principal at FHHS back in the 90s. May God bless her soul.
Do you have any update for the funeral or wake so we can offer our respect and condolence to the family?
Thank you
January 3rd, 2026 at 2:04 pm
The wake is at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church at 192 – 81 Street on January 4th from 3:00 – 7:00 pm.