Mehmet Mustafa

Waltham – Mr. Mehmet Mustafa, of Waltham, died on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln. He was 73.

Mehmet was born in Pyla, Larnaca, Cyprus on November 3, 1947 to the late Mustafa Süleyman and Müyesser Mustafa. He completed his bachelor's degree in Physics in 1972 from Middle East Technical University and continued his studies in the United States.

He first earned a Master's degree in Electrical and Systems Engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1978 where he was also a Fulbright Scholar. In 1997 he earned his Master's degree in Computer Science from Boston University, the same institution that he also received his Doctorate in Computer Engineering in 2006.

He had worked at various research laboratories in the Boston area, most recently coming out of retirement to work another 10+ years at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Before that he worked for many years at GTE Labs in Waltham and at Verizon Labs.

Mehmet was also the co-inventor of six United States patents.

In addition to possessing a natural ability for new ideas and having a constant thirst for knowledge, Mehmet was a talented musician and a skilled craftsman.

His greatest joy of all was his beloved wife and son. He was a wonderful husband and father and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Mehmet leaves his wife, Tülay (Kiliç) Mustafa of Waltham, their son, Zafer Mustafa of Billerica, and his siblings, Aliye Tekünlü, Huriye Hallaçli, Servet Emre, Ömer Öksüz and Ayşe Mustafa, and the late Süleyman Öksüz.

Family and friends will honor and remember Mehmet's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, on Thursday, October 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. Graveside services will be held on Friday morning at 10 a.m. in Mount Feake Cemetery, 203 Prospect Street, Waltham.