Maurice Toufic Hakim of Newtown, PA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne. Past 96 and until nearly the end, he remained fully alert, independent, and engaged in his daily activities.

Maurice was the beloved husband of the late Linda Slim Hakim, with whom he had shared nearly 60 years of marriage before she had preceded him last February to be with the Lord.

He was born in Beirut to Toufic Jabbour Hakim and Adlette Bridi, both from Beirut, on August 11, 1921, shortly after the current borders of Lebanon were established. He was the older brother of the now-deceased Mounir and Michel Hakim.

Maurice has loving family on four continents. He is survived by his sons Toufic (partner Robyn Rajs) and Naji (wife Carine Nahas Hakim); his grandchildren Scott, Jad, Sean, and Yasmina, who endearingly called him Jeddo; his nephew James and nieces Joyce Hakim Åkesson, Rita Hakim Saadé, and Micheline Hakim Sfeir and their families; his brother-in-law Joseph Slim; and the rest of the Hakim, Bridi, Slim, Sahyoun and Said families. They will all remember him well and continue his legacy.

After more than 40 years as a manager at the Beirut Seaport, Maurice immigrated with his wife Linda to the U.S. at age 80, living in Newtown since 2000. He became enthusiastic about cooking late in his 80’s, which earned him the title of Chef Maurice deservedly. Over the last 10 years, he regularly spent extended hours on his smartphone and social media, keeping in touch with his family and friends all over the world. He was also deeply interested in developments across the Middle East and in age-old Byzantine chanting—church music he truly enjoyed and performed for decades.

Those in his presence were commonly inspired by his high morals, his strong will, and his clear sense of discipline and responsibility. Although serious and demanding, Maurice had a zest for life and family, always enjoying the company of people, young or old. Once the life of the party, he maintained a fun-loving, playful spirit. He will be dearly missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family on Saturday, January 20, 2018 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at St. Mark’s Orthodox Church, 452 Durham Road, Wrightstown, PA 18940, before the Funeral Service. His interment will follow in Newtown Cemetery. A memorial lunch will be held at the Vecchia Osteria, 20 Richboro-Newtown Road in Newtown. 

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Maurice Hakim’s name to the Foundation for Self Leadership, P.O. Box 3776, Oak Park, IL 60303 or by visiting www.FoundationIFS.org/donate