Obituary: Shamoon Rasool

Friends and family have paid tribute to optometrist and dispensing optician, Shamoon Rasool, who passed away on 19 February 2025 at the age of 55.

Rasool was born in Leeds, and lived and worked in West Yorkshire for his entire life.

He began his career as a dispensing optician, before making the decision to pursue optometry.

Close friend, Abbas Hussain, first met Rasool when they were optometry students at the University of Bradford in the late 1990s.

“Sham really was like the father of the group,” Hussain said.

As students, he explained: “We could just go to him – he was the dad of the group. He would often take us home and feed us.”

Hussain added: “His personality was very warm. He was very giving, and he loved helping the next generation of practitioners. If somebody was a year below him, he would have lots of advice and information.”

Maariah Rasool

Shamoon Rasool during his graduation ceremony at the University of Bradford

After graduating, Rasool completed his pre-registration placement at Boots Opticians.

After staying with Boots Opticians for a period after qualification, Rasool left the franchise practice to become a locum – a mode of practice he maintained throughout his career.

One of the practices that Rasool worked with as a locum was Hussain’s practice, A&S Eye Centre, in Liverpool.

He was always very popular with patients at the practice, Hussain told OT.

“He was a lovely person. We never argued, in 20-odd years. He was somebody you could go to for anything,” Hussain said.

Rasool leaves behind three daughters, Maariah, also an optometrist, Juwairiah, and Madiha, and his wife, Samina. He was also father to two sons, the late Abdul Raheem and Waleed.

Rasool’s daughter Maariah paid tribute to her father.

“He was not only an accomplished optometrist, respected by his peers and a mentor to aspiring students, but also a man of kindness and wisdom, admired and loved by young and old alike,” she told OT.

“Through life’s many trials – whether facing childhood injuries, heartbreaking loss of his young sons, or the challenges of daily life – he remained steadfast, never complaining, always carrying a warm smile.”

Maariah added: “Beyond family, his friendships spanned generations and communities, with schoolmates, university friends, and colleagues all speaking of his generosity, warmth and unwavering support.”

Rasool’s family have set up a charity that will support causes that he felt strongly about.

“It’s a legacy, that his caring nature will carry on even after his death,” Hussain said.

The charity fundraising page can be viewed here.