"The very best Jiddo. I loved when Maurice would join Kiera in her music therapy sessions. He loved her so!"
In loving memory of
Maurice Elibri
January 1, 1932 - March 23, 2021
Maurice Elibri, age 89, died on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Born January 1, 1932 in Zahle, Lebanon to Raji Elibri and Najla (Abou Hanna). Maurice immigrated to Canada in 1964 where he met his wife Jane (Aboud). They were married in 1966 and were blessed with 2 children, Alexandra (Nabil Khoury) and Katheryn (David Frame) and 4 grandchildren Aya, Tala, Emile and Kiera. He loved them greatly!
Maurice was known for his fierce strength and loyalty, and he always spoke his mind. He feared no one and he often stood up for those who could not defend themselves. He was beyond generous and never waited to be asked before offering help.
Maurice was a beloved member of his family and community. He worked for over 50 years with the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Greektown, downtown Detroit, and every year he read the Gospel in Arabic at the orthodox Easter mass.
Maurice was an avid fan of horse racing and soccer, and later in life he fell in love with golf. He loved playing and winning at backgammon, visiting with family and friends and getting in the car to drive around to just "see what's going on". Maurice enjoyed traveling internationally and coast to coast in the U.S. Driving was his favorite way to travel, and he could tell you by memory the best roads and routes to take anywhere in the U.S. and Canada, with the "turn-a-pike" always the best option.
Maurice never forgot where he came from and had deep ties to Lebanon. And although he lived in the United States for over 50 years, it was often joked that he sounded like he just arrived from his beloved city of Zahle.
Maurice will be remembered for his laughter, legendary storytelling, hilarious sense of humor and larger than life personality. He will be remembered for his tenderness and compassion for children with disabilities and his deep concerns for helping them live a better life. He will be remembered for his integrity, honesty and pure joy of life.
Maurice is survived by his daughters, son's-in-law, grandchildren, sister's-in-law Mary Matta and Najla Ibri and many nieces and nephews, among them Barb, Robert, Paul Victoria, Francoise, Nada, Ziad, Wissam, Yola, Paula, Claude and Roger. He will be deeply missed by a large extended family of grand nieces and nephews, cousins and dear friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife Jane, sister Mimi Malouf, brother Sami Ibri and his parents.
Visitation for Maurice will take place on Friday, March 26 from 12 noon to 4 pm at Chas. Verheyden, Inc., 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230. A private Funeral Mass and Burial will be held.
In these extraordinary times, we respectfully remind everyone who wishes to attend the visitation that masks and social distancing are required. The law in MI only allows 25 people inside at a time, but all are welcome to take their turn. We want everyone to be safe while honoring the memory of Maurice.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Kiera's Hope Project online at www.CDKL5research.org or mailed to PO Box 26, Dexter, MI 48130
Tributes
"Wish we could all be there with you, thinking of you especially this morning. He was a great story teller and always full of laughs. We will miss our dear Uncle!"
"Thanks for not killing me after I stole your car! Best laugh ever, You made the room come alive when you were around. love you uncle. Will be sorely missed. RIP"
"Dear family, You all have my sympathy and my heartfelt condolences. Maurice was such a fun person to be around. I loved to speak to him in Arabic. Maurice was so proud of his family and he talked about them very often. Barb Tolbert posted a photo on her tribute that was taken at the Pegasus restaurant with Mary Matta, Barb, Maurice and myself. That was the last time I was with him. We all had so much fun and he had the entire restaurant laughing. He knew the manager and our waitress from the parking lot that he managed at Greektown. Rest in Peace, Maurice. We are all going to miss you. Love, Margie Deeb"
"I remember the day we went to the airport to pick up Maurice at the airport. He was so much fun. His favorite phrase was "You better believe it Iban Umei" ?. Rest in peace dear cousin.?"
"A storyteller like no other. A wit and humor like no other. An embrace like no other. And there will never be another like him. I will think of you often and remember you forever. Rest in Peace, Uncle."