From Egypt to Fullersburg Woods
Four generations of the Girgis ENT Family recollect their favorite memories
As we looked for a multi-generational family in Oak Brook to profile, the Girgis family lent us an ear – and nose and throat! Since Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist Matthew (Matt) Girgis, MD, moved back to town last year with his family, the Girgis clan are proud to now claim four generations in Fullersburg Woods.
Matt’s great-uncle, Dr. Tawfik Girgis, emigrated to this country from Egypt in 1955. Four years later, he established the initial Girgis ENT practice in Hinsdale in 1959. Tawfik’s brother Joseph and wife Grace and their children moved to the U.S. shortly thereafter.
Their eldest son, Dr. Samuel (Sam) Girgis, joined his uncle’s practice in 1986 after completing his residency at Loyola University in Maywood. Sam and his wife Rita were expecting a set of twins and needed to lay down roots as soon as possible. As Rita remembered the search for a home, “When we found Fullersburg, its excellent school district, gorgeous acre lots, and prime location between airports and close proximity to the city, we knew we had found our dream.”
The couple purchased their first home, a split-level ranch, in 1987. They raised four children – twin daughters, Brook and Brittany, and later two sons, Paul and Matthew – on a wooded property with a picturesque pond in the backyard. Sam and Rita share many wonderful memories of skating with their family on brisk, snowy days in their Norman Rockwell-esque setting.
As their family grew, so did their need for more space. But they didn’t want to leave their beautiful neighborhood. “We had become close with the neighbors by then and had no desire to leave the property,” Rita remembered.
The solution appeared when they were able to buy the home next door. They divided the estate and added land to their original property, which allowed the potential to expand and build. After many architectural renderings, the family of six moved into the home they had bought next door as they demolished their original home to build a new house. Nearly two years later, they moved into their dream home, just in time for the holidays in 1998. “It was magical,” Rita said.
Sam and Rita Girgis enjoy a fall afternoon with their grandchildren.
With the home they had just moved from then vacant, they were able to convince Sam’s parents, Joseph and Grace, to move to OB from the city. “It was our hope that things would work out that way all along, but we never conveyed that to them,” said Rita. “We were so thrilled when it happened! We then had the joy and privilege to walk them through their aging process. To be in their 80s and 90s with children and grandchildren surrounding them was truly amazing and beautiful.”
And so it all comes full circle. After 25 years in that home, Joseph and Grace passed away just before their grandson Matt finished his ENT residency in Missouri. As Matt had made the decision to join his father Sam’s ENT practice, he and wife Sarah and their four – now five – children needed a place to live.
As Matt’s grandparents’ house became available, his parents offered it to him and Sarah. “We’re currently living next door to my parents in the same house where I spent the early years of my life,” said Matt. “We actually share a backyard with them.” And with five children, the couple realizes having grandparents next door is worth its proverbial weight in gold.
Of Sam and Rita’s 12 grandchildren, the 5 living next door will attend the same school Matt attended. The older sons were on the swim team this past summer at Oak Brook Bath & Tennis. “The club was a great way to meet people during our first full summer and have fun,” said Sarah. “We love being members there.” Two more sons round out the roster. Last spring, the family was thrilled to welcome their first daughter. “She’ll be well protected,” said Matt with a smile. “And I guess there’s a decent chance of adding at least one to the family practice someday!”
They’re glad to be back in a familiar place. “We love the park district programs, especially the winter lights show,” said Sarah. “We enjoy the mall, too, for its movies and concerts on the green space.”
Matt and Sarah have made some worthwhile connections at Christ Church as well. “We often bike through the woods to get to church,” said Matt. “It’s a great community for us.”
Having lived here so long, all generations of Girgis’ have had a chance to make memories all over town. Matt and his siblings remember many great times such as the annual Fourth of July celebrations at the Oak Brook Polo Club and the Father’s Day car shows at the mall. Sam was honored to have served two terms on the Village Planning Commission. “I enjoyed the chance to learn more about how this wonderful village works,” said Sam. “I was happy to give back to the community in this way.”
But it always comes back to Fullersburg Woods for their unanimous favorite. They love the gorgeous drive down Spring Road in the fall. Matt has great recollections of this area from early in life. “One thing I remember well as a kid was a Wizard of Oz walk they had in the woods at Halloween,” he said. “We walked from station to station throughout the forest while professional actors portrayed scenes from the movie. It was memorable as a kid.”
Matt used those same trails this year to train for the Chicago Marathon in October. He and Sarah and the kids love to bike ride through Fullersburg Woods – a favorite activity for the young family. The Graue Mill and The Woods Nature Education Center are often frequent stops. The birds nest tree house is a favorite among the kids.
Sarah and Matt met as undergrads at Vanderbilt. While originally from Oregon, she has some experience with the Chicagoland area. The couple had lived in the vicinity while Matt attended medical school at Loyola University, before moving to Missouri for his residency.
“When we considered coming back, I had initially hoped to pave our own path and maybe be in a different community,” she confessed. “But now that we’re here, it’s easy to see why Matt’s parents decided on Fullersburg Woods. I can’t imagine a better, safer place to live, especially with their grandparents next door. To sacrifice that would be such a cost to the whole family.”
