Arsalan Farooq's Obituary
Arsalan Farooq, a loving partner, devoted father, and pillar of his family, passed away on August 29, 2025, at the age of 53. After a steadfast 26-month battle with colon cancer, Arsalan died peacefully at the Mills-Peninsula Medical Center in Burlingame, California. He was born in Pakistan to Wasima Farooq and his late father Mohammad Farooq Umer, a fighter pilot in the Air Force.
After finishing his studies at Caltech in Pasadena, Arsalan moved to the Bay Area in 1995 for his first job as a software engineer. He met the love of his life Irina at work over 21 years ago after which they were inseparable. The two of them walked hand in hand through life, cherishing special moments, and facing each challenge head on. His love for his children (Zimran and Saenan) knew no bounds. He dedicated his life to shaping their hearts and minds, while celebrating their individuality and showering them with his unconditional love and support.
To his friends and family, Arsalan was a source of light and laughter. He was celebrated for his razor-sharp wit, a dry sense of humor that could disarm any room, and an insatiable curiosity that drove his lifelong love of learning. Arsalan had a rare gift for making every interaction feel special and memorable, connecting deeply with people through his warmth and genuine interest. A trained pilot with a lifelong passion for aviation, Arsalan found freedom and purpose in the skies. His quiet strength and grace were never more apparent than in his final year. In his silent endurance and refusal to complain, he taught a powerful lesson on carrying suffering with dignity and living fully in the moment. Arsalan’s legacy is not just in the love he gave but in the profound example he set. The memory of his quiet strength will forever be a guiding light for his family and friends.
Arsalan leaves behind his two amazing boys Zimran and Saenan; his loving wife Irina; his mother Wasima; his three siblings Ayisha, Armaghan and Ayinan; his in-laws Alla and Lev; his brother-in-law Paul; his sisters-in-law Georgia and Sarah; his two nephews Balthazar and Keyaan and his niece Zoya.
He will be forever missed.
Funeral services and Burial proceedings will be held at the Skylawn Funeral Home, Memorial Park (888 Lifemark Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019) starting at 12pm (noon) on Thursday September 4th
Memorial Scholarship: In honor of Arsalan—a trained pilot with a lifelong passion for aviation - Irina will be funding a scholarship to sponsor flight training for young people entering aviation at the San Carlos Flight Center. Donations can be made here.
What’s your fondest memory of Arsalan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Arsalan?
Share a story where Arsalan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Arsalan you’ll never forget.
How did Arsalan make you smile?