Maurice Barakat

Maurice Barakat, 87, of Torrington, CT passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on March 4th, 2021.  Maurice was born July 29th, 1933 in Bsharre, Lebanon to Father Isaac Barakat Rahme and Mother Espana Kabalan.    

In Lebanon, at a young age, Maurice’s artistic vision and love for art and music led him to successful entrepreneurial endeavors in various nightclubs in Beirut and Tripoli.  After getting married his career then pivoted culminating in an executive position with Alitalia Airlines at the Beirut International Airport, allowing him to travel many parts of the world with his wife.  Maurice emigrated to the U.S., settling in Torrington, with his wife and three children in 1977 at the beginning of Lebanese civil war.  While in the U.S. Maurice was employed by Allied Grocers and became a member of the Teamsters Labor Union.  After retirement, Maurice's attention to detail and organized bookkeeping skills made him a valuable asset while working for local family and friend owned small businesses.  Maurice always had a gift as an avid tinkerer and fixer of all things while embracing the latest electronic and computer technologies well up to his death.  He was a faithful communicant of Saint Maron Maronite Church and valued his family and friends above all else.  With his infectious smile and respectful ways, there really wasn't a person that Maurice could not befriend and there wasn’t a friend or family member who didn’t have the ultimate respect for him.  His three most valuable treasures in life were his grandchildren Maurice (Maury, 17), Teddy (7) and Juliet (6).  He was a devoted husband to the love of his life Ninette (Njaim) for 54 years.  He was a beloved father to his son Rabih and his wife Dr. Lydia Aoun-Barakat, of Woodbridge, CT, his daughter Tania and husband Doug Veleber, and son Ted and his wife Sara Petit-Barakat, Esq, of Glendale, CA.  

Maurice was pre-deceased by his daughter Tania in 2004, brothers Emil and George and sisters Vicky and Hoda.  Maurice leaves behind siblings Victor, Nouhad & Norma of Beirut, Lebanon, Alex of Sydney, Australia, and Marion of Montreál, Canada.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a small private funeral will be held for family and friends on Monday March 8 which can be viewed live through YouTube Live at the following link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0iycxFfWh6lHdlnaKVMPZQ at 11:00 AM U.S. Eastern time  with a memorial mass for all to be held at a later date, post-COVID. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to Saint Maron Church at the following link http://www.saintmaronchurch.org/

or for Breast cancer research at www.Komen.org

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