Leila Rukab

Leila Bajalia Rukab passed into eternity and the presence of her savior, on June 15, 2026. She was born November 18,1938 in Brooklyn, New York to George and Nimeh Bajalia. When she was young, the family moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where she grew up, and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School. In 1961, she married the love of her life, Maurice Awad Rukab. They spent several years building a life together, supporting their family through entrepreneurship of grocery stores and sandwich shops before founding St. John’s Seafood & Oyster Bar with her brother Sam Bajalia in 1981. The seafood restaurants became a local Jacksonville favorite that allowed Leila to not only meet and befriend so many customers but employ thousands of Jacksonville residents over 37 years of business. The legacy she leaves to the local restaurant industry pales in comparison to that of her family legacy. She was a proud member of the Jacksonville Palestinian community where she served as the Ladies Auxiliary Club President of the Ramallah American Club of Jacksonville. Despite all her success in business and community, she was most proud of her children, her grandchildren and countless extended family members. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Maurice Awad Rukab, her children Lori Rukab Grassi, Robert Rukab (Paula Farhud), Muna Farah (Greg), six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, brother Joe Bajalia (Joan), and sister Victoria Samaan (Azmi). She is pre-deceased by her parents, her brothers, Audi and Sam Bajalia, and sister Helen Dudum.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 6300 Bowden Road, Jacksonville, FL 32216. The family will receive visitors from 10:00 – 11:00 AM. A Trisagion Service will be held at 11:00 AM followed by a graveside service at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church.