Maroun Makhoul

Maroun was born and raised Bkarzla, Lebanon by his parents Antoun Makhoul and Hafouz Karam Makhoul (both predeceased) along with his siblings: Sabet, Chafik, Rosette, Youssef, Ida, Tony and Josephine. Maroun was the fourth child.

Maroun met the love of his life, Sonia, while they both taught at Dinbou. They married in 1979. Maroun and Sonia had three children, Sabet, Georgette and Jizelle; and raised a fourth, Rania.

With a fierce thirst for learning and with the encouragement of his father, Maroun studied law while teaching Arabic to elementary children full time and raising a family. Maroun graduated with a law degree in 1981 from the Lebanese University, funded by a scholarship and being the top of his class each year.

Looking for a better life for his family in the midst of a civil war in Lebanon, Maroun immigrated to Halifax, Nova Scotia with his wife and children following shortly thereafter on March 10th, 1989 (Maroun was able to bring his adopted daughter Rania three years later). As a newly immigrated family, Maroun had a choice to make: return to law school to pursue his passion under the common law system or provide immediate support for his family. The choice for Maroun was an easy one.

Maroun and his wife operated their own pizza shop for over 25 years. Maroun and Sonia treated their customers like family; often times receiving school pictures of children, Christmas cards from long-standing customers and certainly their praises. Maroun and Sonia were proud of having the third best donair and fourth best pizza in all of HRM.

Maroun and his wife retired in April 2019. Maroun spent his retirement years with his family. He especially enjoyed caring for his son Sabet’s children, Maro and Elio. Maroun and Sonia would regularly visit their daughter Georgette and her husband Zachary in Windsor, Ontario during the summer months. He enjoyed sharing a cup of coffee with his daughter Jizelle as well as taking care of her gardenia. Maroun and Sonia enjoyed having late night dinners with their daughter Rania and her husband Wissam, often making fun of her cooking knowing that Rania would take the bait.

Maroun lived for his family. If there ever was a “family man”, it was him. He gave his family everything they could ever want, need and more. Maroun was thoughtful, brilliant, philosophical and a consummate jokester. He loved to laugh, garden and cook. He embraced and loved being a Canadian.

Maroun will be missed by his wife, children, grandchildren, extended family, friends, customers and all those who were blessed with knowing him. Maroun was the light of the lives of his wife and children.

Visitation will take place this Friday from 6 pm to 8 pm at JA Snow Funeral Home (339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax). A funeral will be held at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church (111 Clayton Park Drive, Halifax) this Saturday at 11 a.m. A short reception to follow off-site.