Jalil Salah, 93, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, June 15th , 2018. He was born in Ramallah, Palestine on July 24, 1924 and later met his future wife, Leila, there. They married in 1950 and immigrated to the United States in 1952 with their firstborn daughter to build a better life for their family. They settled in Jacksonville, Florida where Jalil became a charter member of the Ramallah American Club of Jacksonville and later served as President. He was also a co-founder of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church and a member of the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch.
Jalil was a resourceful entrepreneur and started multiple successful businesses, including being a professional Arabic calligrapher, owning a neighborhood grocery store on Gilmore Street, opening and operating Jerry’s Sandwich Shop for 20 years, and most recently owning and managing Hendricks Plaza in San Marco.
Jalil enjoyed writing poetry, dancing, serving the Church, tending his garden, eating Leila’s Arabic cooking, watching sports and most importantly, spending time with his family. He was a devoted husband, loving father, caring brother, proud grandfather, doting great-grandfather and friend to many.
Jalil is preceded in death by his loving wife, Leila Salah, brother Daoud Salah, sister Farideh Kandah, and granddaughter Ashley Bateh. He is survived by his brother, Fuad Salah, sister Nawal Rabah, son Jack (Judy), daughters, Maha (Kamel), Jane (Farris) and Donna (Raymond), 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, June 19th from 6 – 7:00pm at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 6300 Bowden Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32216 with the Trisagion Service beginning at 7:00pm. The funeral service will be held at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church on Wednesday, June 20th at 10:00am, followed by interment in Greenlawn Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church.
Please sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com
HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd. is serving the family
