On Tuesday, April 02, 2019, Elias Youssef El-Khoury, a loving husband and proud father of three daughters, commended his spirit into the hands of his Loving Saviour at the age of 91.
Elias was born on July 23, 1927 in Bentael, Byblos district - Lebanon, to Youssef and Victoria (Nassr) El-Khoury. He was the second oldest child in a family of six. Elias married to his soulmate Marie (Rayes) El-Khoury on December 15, 1963 and immigrated to Canada in year 1989. He was a proud Lebanese-Canadian.
Elias will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Marie (Rayes), their three daughters, Christine (Hanna), Claudine (Raad) and Pascale (Kanbour), his sons-in-law Ibrahim Kanbour and Ghassan Raad, and his nine grandchildren, Ben Jr, Joanna, Petra, Elie, Jessica, Karim, Bianca, Chantelle, and Christian. Elias will also be forever remembered by his nieces, nephews and extended family and dear friends.
Elias, was predeceased by his father and mother Youssef and Victoria, his sister Adele, and his four brothers, Jean, Maroun, Michel, and Riad, as well by his son- in- law Jean Hanna.
Elias was virtuous, loyal and a noble man. A man of faith, piety and integrity. He was a man of deep principles, self-giving and God-fearing. Elias was an ambassador of peace, of goodwill and gracefulness. He was raised in a faith based family and a household of prayer, his grand-father Hanna El-Khoury was a priest at his local Church community. He was also known for his generosity, kindness, big heart, smile, wise words and his readiness to always extend his hand to help to all.
His life example and strong witnesses to his Christian faith and his devotion to God, Blessed Virgin Mary, the Saints, the Rosary, the divine worship in prayer, the focus on the sacred rather than the secular, and offering of one’s life, have had a lasting impact on his family, friends and community.
Elias lived life completely centered on the lordship of Christ and the love of husband and wife that mirrors the mystery of Christ’s love for the Church, his bride” (As Pope Benedict XVI said in his Feb. 7, 2007, general audience remarks). His solemn obligation and number one priority is to raise Christian children and recognizing the real purpose of their lives and existence.
He believed the first channel to learn the love of Jesus is through the Sacrament of Matrimony and family life. He recognized his role and responsibility as a father by giving his children a stable, secure, loving, holy environment, and reverence for God and others. He was a devoted husband and warm-hearted father, brother and friend to his daughters who described them as “angelic butterflies with many diverse colours and sublime beauty” (Elias EL-Khoury, 1996. Autobiography reference page 131)
Elias touched the lives of many. He was a light who shined bright for the world and his light will continue to shine on in heaven and his death is not a loss, but rather the entrance of a freed, triumphant spirit into a glorious eternity!
Elias worked for many years as auto salesman and manager. He loved cars, mechanics, woodworking, collecting stamps and unique gemstone bead strings. He enjoyed ballroom dancing, listening to music, swimming, playing cards, reading novels, history, religious and philosophy books. He loved telling stories, writing poems, church articles, and speeches. He also had a deep affection in teaching the Arabic language.
Elias was overly proud of his roots and heritage. He wanted to plant and nurture in his grand-children the cultural understanding, hospitality and deep love of his beloved homeland, Lebanon, in which he contributed to writing his own autobiography dedicated to his beloved grand-children.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the doctors and nurses from Foothills hospital especially Unit 37 and Sheldon M. Chumir Centre who treated Elias with extreme care, gentle hands and genuine compassion.
A Prayer Service will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at Foster's Garden Chapel & Crematorium. ADDRESS: 3220 4th St NW Calgary, AB
A Celebration of Elias’ life will be held on Friday, April 12, 2019 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Peace Maronite Catholic Parish of Calgary. ADDRESS: 504, 30th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB.
Interment will take place at Queens Park Cemetery. ADDRESS: 3219 4 St NW, Calgary, AB with reception to follow at the “Church Parish Hall”.
Condolences may be forwarded through www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/calgary-ab/elias-el-khoury-8240478
Those who so desire, may make memorial contributions in memory of Elias to Our Lady of Peace Maronite Catholic Parish of Calgary.
“The death of saints should be precious in our sights. Be it known while we are sorrowing, Christ is rejoicing, and while we are grieving here, he (Elias) is rejoicing there and we will embalm his memories in our hearts forever.” (C. H. SPURGEON)
“The righteous will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon”. Psalm 92:12
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