Jack (Ayoub) Lawen

Ayoub Elias Lawen (Jack) took his eternal rest at the Halifax Infirmary on January 16 after several years of declining health and a brief hospitalization. He was surrounded by all those he loved. He was the first child of Toufic and Najla Lawen.

Born in El Kfier, South Lebanon he was a gifted child who travelled from El Kfier, a village on the western slope of Biblical Mount Hermon to study in Marjeyoon, South Lebanon and to work at Club Ajram on the Zeytouna Bay in Beirut, a job that earned him the nickname of Ayoub Ajram. Ever dedicated to his family, he helped his father on the mountain side farm where the family worked olive groves, some of the best olives in Lebanon. Filled with hope and adventure he learned English and at age 20 beseeched his late maternal aunt Sophia to bring him to Canada where she lived in Halifax. Because of his relentless urgings, a nervous family of seven immigrated to Canada in 1959 to give Ayoub and his siblings a new start, away from the harsh and rocky farms on the western slope of Mount Hermon. He was like a second father to his two brothers and two sisters and reversed the traditional roles of parent and child. His early life experiences imbued him with perseverance and honesty. He was tireless and proud to have firstly encouraged his children to marry from El Kfier and secondly in starting them in business, instilling a strong and honest work ethic. He was deeply affected when he unexpectedly lost his love and life partner 15 years ago. In his last years he travelled frequently to Lebanon, spending much time in his beloved El Kfier; in Achrafieh which delighted him since his first experiences when he worked at club Ajram and in Jounieh just to the north of Beirut. In the end he remained passionate, fiercely independent and true to his origins, that of the small olive farmer from El Kfier on the western slope of Mount Hermon.

Ayoub was a deeply spiritual man, who loved his family first and foremost. He was blessed to live in their midst all his life and never ceased to place the people he loved above all. He was blessed with four children and 13 grandchildren who were his greatest delight. Loving kindness best describes his essence. He was a positive force and encouraged his family to the end. He delighted in taking care of his parents in the last years of their life and cared for them with love and respect. Prophetically he got what he gave in the loving care his son Michael showed him. He will be sorely missed but his spirit will never be forgotten by those who shared his life.

He is survived by his son Michael (Suzanne), daughters Catherine (Ramzi) Tawil, Mary Lawen and Samia (George) Khoury, grandchildren, Nancy, John, Eddy and Alex Tawil, Jack, Matthew and Nena Lawen and Joseph, Anthony, Manal, Daniel, Nicholas and Peter Khoury, brothers George and Joseph, sister Mona (Moufid, deceased) Khoury, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his loving wife Nouha, his parents and sister Elaine (George) Ghiz.

Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.

Visitations at Cruikshank’s Funeral Home, Windsor St., Jan 19, 2-4pm, 7-9pm, Funeral Jan 20, 11am St. Antonio’s Antiochian Christian Orthodox Church, Windsor Street.