RUKAB, LEWIS AWAD - age 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 5, 2019, surrounded by family. Lewis was born in Jerusalem, Palestine on June 21, 1932. He was preceded in death in January of this year by his loving wife Odette. They met while she was his nurse in the hospital in Jerusalem. They were married for 58 years. In Jerusalem, he worked with the Catholic Church in their printing department. During that period, he was also the President of the Kashaf (The Scouts of The Catholic Diocese of Jerusalem). Following the 1967 war, his father and brothers who had already moved to Jacksonville, FL, urged them to join them in America to seek a better and safer life. They moved to the US in 1970 and settled with the rest of the Rukab family in Jacksonville. Upon coming to America, Lewis and Odette worked side by side as small business owners to create a better opportunity for their children. Lewis devoted his life to his family and was respected and loved by all who knew him. He was known as a gentleman with a generous spirit and sense of humor. Lewis was a brother of the Masonic Brotherhood of Amelia Lodge and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in 1989.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Awad and Azizeh Rukab, brother Nasser, and wife Odette. Lewis is survived by his daughter Ghada Eid (Faris), Son Marwan, daughter Rana Rukab (Rocky), and daughter-in-law Christina Rukab; Grandchildren: Marwan, Rami, Hannah, Lewis, and Nicholas; Brothers Michel, Maurice (Lila), Francis (Seham); Sister Nawal Oweis (Sami); In-laws Joseph and Widad Zacharia: and a large extended family.
Family will receive friends at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 6300 Bowden Road, Jacksonville, on Monday October 7 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., followed by the Trisagion prayer service, with The Very Reverend Archpriest Father Kamal Al-Rahil, officiating. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday October 8 at 10:00 a.m. at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, followed by the interment at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207.
Please Sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family.
