Joseph Christopher Bashara Sr.

Joseph Christopher Bashara, Sr. Joseph Christopher Bashara, Sr. fell asleep in the Lord on January 8, 2011. He was born April 23, 1933 in Austin, Texas at home. He was the son of Charles Bashara, Sr. and Rose Rhouhanna Bashara, the youngest of nine children. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Philip, Sr., Charles, Jr., Thomas, James G., and James J.; sisters, Mary Bashara, Julia Bashara Terbay and Rose Bashara Munoz, and a host of nephews. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Myrtle Lamme Bashara; sons, Joseph Bashara, Jr. and wife, Mara, Thomas Bashara and wife, Christine; daughters, Laura Bashara Mery and husband, Michael and Rose Bashara Karam and husband, Raymond; grandchildren, Monica Mery Boothroyd, Margaret Bashara, Christopher Mery, Myrtle Karam, Frances Karam, Victoria Mery, Martha Karam, Joseph Bashara III, Marina Mery, Elias Karam, Kathleen Karam, Christal Urbina, Nicholas Bashara, Cynthia Bashara, Heather Bashara, Rhouhanna Bashara, Todd Bashara, Thomas Bashara, James Bashara, Phillip Bashara; and one great-grandson, James Boothroyd. Joseph was a founding member of Our Lady's Maronite Catholic Parish and a member of the Order of St. Sharbel. Joseph was a Catholic since birth as was his family before him for many generations, back to St. George on his mother's side. Joseph attended St. Mary's School and Austin High School. He worked as a salesman and invested in real estate. He became a real estate broker and encouraged and counseled many family members in investing. He was semi-retired but still active until his death. Joseph could not say no to any request from a priest or nun. His children and grandchildren were his total life, and giving them guidance and advice at every possible opportunity was his responsibility. He enjoyed fishing, bird hunting and the outdoors. He was a gentleman of the old school, the son of Lebanese immigrants. Arabic was his first language and he could speak Arabic until his death. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o'clock in the evening until eight o'clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 11th of January at Our Lady's Maronite Catholic Parish, 1320 East 51st Street, Austin. The recitation of the Rosary will begin at seven o'clock on the same evening. The Funeral Mass will be conducted at ten o'clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 12th of January at Our Lady's Maronite Catholic Parish, 1320 East 51st Street, Austin. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Condolences may be made at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com