Maroun "Mario" JeBailey

On July 26, 2023, Maroun “Mario” JeBailey, at the age of 88, passed away peacefully at home in Orlando, Florida. He passed surrounded by his children and grandchildren, and with his beloved wife of 59 years, Antoinette, by his side.

Mario, the third youngest of ten children, was born on December 9, 1934, to Sassine and Zeine JeBailey in Karm el Asfour, Akkar, Lebanon. As a young boy in Lebanon, he helped his father raise Arabian horses, work a cattle farm, and operate several olive oil mills.

In 1952, at the young age of 17, Mario left his native Lebanon aboard an Italian steamliner in search of a better life in Brazil. After working for several years as a farmer and textile shop owner, in 1957, he again decided to pull up roots and look for better opportunities in Nova Scotia, Canada. There, Mario worked in a number of professions, including hairdresser and butcher. He later founded JeBailey’s Furniture with his brother Joseph, and together, their business grew to be the largest Canadian furniture store east of Montreal.

Mario and Antoinette married in 1964 at Saint Maron Cathedral in Tripoli, Lebanon. After a brief stint in Lebanon, they lived for 17 years in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. In 1981, they moved with their three sons, Charles, Joseph and John to Orlando, Florida, which they have called home for more than 40 years. In Orlando, Mario successfully developed, owned, and operated hotel, office and retail properties for over four decades, until his retirement in 2021.

Mario loved gardening, nurturing his mango, orange, apple, and fig trees and sharing their fruit with his family and friends. He loved the ocean and spending weekends at the beach. But more than anything, Mario loved spending time with his family.

He was happiest when he was surrounded by his children and grandchildren, at home during the holidays: cracking easter eggs, holding Christmas afternoon talent shows, and watching his grandchildren parade through the house in their Halloween costumes.

Mario was a caring, wise, trusted friend and confidant to all who knew him. His home was always open to young relatives and friends from the old country, seeking sage advice, and hoping to get their footing in America.

Mario also was an active parishioner at Saint Jude Maronite Catholic Church. He was a principled man of faith and integrity, and was actively involved in the founding and development of both Our Lady of Lebanon Church, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Saint Jude Maronite Catholic Church, in Orlando, Florida.

Mario was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in the spring of 2023. Despite the heartbreaking diagnosis, Mario faced the illness with the same strength, grace and generosity of spirit with which he lived his whole life. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

Family Who Went Before

Mario was predeceased by father Sassine JeBailey, mother Zeine (Chater) JeBailey, sister Ferideh, sister Ameline, brother Khalil, sister Mary, sister Ketrine, sister Badiah, and brother Mohsen.

Family He Left Behind

He is survived by wife Antoinette (Boulos) JeBailey; son Charles JeBailey and daughter-in-law Rania (Sayde) JeBailey, and their three children, Antonia (21), Ava (18) and Mario (16); son Joseph JeBailey and daughter-in-law Nicole (Spindler) JeBailey, and their two children, Khalil (20) and Madeline (17); and son John David JeBailey and daughter-in-law Charlotte (Hagler) JeBailey, and their three children, Zayna (22), Julia (19) and Jack (17); brother Joseph, and sister Loulou.

A visitation for Mario will be held Monday, July 31, 2023 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM at St. Jude Maronite Catholic Church, 5555 Dr Phillips Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819. A committal service will occur Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734.

A Mercy Meal will be hosted at the family home immediately following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Jude Maronite Catholic Church, http://www.saintjudechurch.org/donations.php

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com for the JeBailey family.