'Unexpected Illness' Claims Life Of Madison Doctor At 43

MADISON, NJ - An 'unexpected illness' claimed the life of Dr. Sargis Andrew Khoobiar, 43, a longtime Madison resident and cardiologist at Essex Cardiology Group of Florham Park and the public is being asked to help build and educational trust fund for his three sons.

According to his obituary, Khoobiar passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019. Khoobiar was born in Ridgewood on Feb. 18, 1975 to Andrea Ferretti Khoobiar and the late Sargis Khoobiar. He was raised in Kinnelon and was a graduate of the Delbarton School of Morristown.

"Serge Khoobiar was a devoted husband to Kristen, and father to his beloved sons, Brian, 12, Connor, 7, and Hunter, 7," Khoobiar's sister Anne Heap wrote on the GoFundMe page established in his honor. "After an unexpected illness, Serge passed away at Overlook Hospital. This trust is being set up to help the three boys with their future educational costs, as education was so important to Serge."

Khoobiar earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1997 from Cornell University and his Doctor of Medicine degree in 2001 from St. George’s University. He finished his medical residency at Morristown Medical Center, becoming Chief resident in 2002 and completed his Cardiology Fellowship at Newark Beth Israel Hospital.

Serge was a cardiologist at Essex Cardiology Group of Florham Park for over ten years. He was also an attending physician at Saint Barnabas Hospital and the Atlantic Health System. He was a dedicated professional who earned an outstanding reputation for his personal, high-level of care to his patients, according to his obituary.

"Dr. Khoobiar left this world way too early," Jane Mone said on the fundraiser page. "He was an exceptional doctor, just a couple weeks ago he stopped and asked how my new profession was going."

But more than just patients honored Khoobiar, colleagues shared remembrances as well.

"It was an honor and privilege to work with Dr. Khoobiar," Diane Mirabella said.

According to his obituary, Khoobiar was a devoted husband and father, he was especially proud of his three sons whom he loved dearly. He enjoyed sailing, biking, photography and hiking. Serge was also a talented woodworker.

Khoobiar was predeceased by his father, Sargis Khoobiar. He is survived by his beloved wife of 14 years, Kristen Khoobiar(nee Fuchs); his three cherished sons, Brian, Connor & Hunter Khoobiar; his mother, Andrea Khoobiar (nee Ferretti); one sister, Anne Heap (nee Khoobiar) and her husband, Jesse; his niece, Piper Heap and nephew, JJ Heap; his mother-in-law & father-in-law, Claudia and Don Fuchs; and many dear friends and colleagues.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14, at St. Vincent Martyr Church, Madison. Interment will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison. Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation to celebrate Serge’s life on Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to a college fund established for his three sons here.

"Serge was an inspiring, loving and kind man and any donation is appreciated for his children to continue their higher education plans as Serge and Kristen intended," Heap said.

(Photo courtesy of GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner)

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter by clicking here. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading our Apple iOS app here, or by visiting the Google Play store for the Android app here.