Mike Essa Bateh

Mike Essa Bateh, 72, of Jacksonville, Florida passed away December 15, 2020. Mike was born in Ramallah, Palestine on February 4, 1948 to Essa and Masadeh Bateh. He immigrated to the United States with his family in 1955, graduated from Andrew Jackson High School, and went on to graduate from the University of Florida in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. In 1975 he married Marie Ellen Bateh. He was a member of the Ramallah-American Club of Jacksonville. Throughout his 45-year career, he worked as pharmacist for Eckerd Drugs and CVS Pharmacy. He was a proud and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and his family was his first and only priority. Mike was a passionate, die-hard Florida Gator Booster, and no matter the weather, there was rarely a time he was not in the stadium for a home game.

Mike was preceded in death by his father and mother, Essa Jacob Bateh and Masadeh Akel Bateh. He leaves behind his loving wife of 45 years, Marie, his four children, Sonja, Elaine, Chris-Omar (Jennifer) and Michael, two sisters, Betty Akel (Marwan) and Samia Akel (Daniel), and three grandchildren, Alyssa, Michael, and Madelyn.

Services will be held Sunday, December 20, 2020, visitation from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., followed by a Trisagion and funeral services at 6:00 p.m. with the Very Reverend Father Kamal Al-Rahil officiating at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Legacy Lodge, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida. Graveside service will be held on December 21, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Greenlawn Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida. Due to the pandemic, masks are required to be worn for all services.

Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 904-737-7171. Please sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com.