James J. Mowad Jr.

James J. Mowad Jr. of West Scranton passed away Sept. 3 in the embrace of his family. He was born Sept. 15, 1937, to Hind and James Mowad and the beloved nephew of George and Yesmine Yamin. He was preceded in death by siblings, Nancy Yamin, Josephine Mowad, Dr. Joseph Mowad and infant sister, Yvonne.

Jim was a loving son, nephew, uncle and great-uncle. He is survived by Nancy's children, Maria McAndrew and husband, Jim; Nancy Yamin; Simone Daniel and husband, the late Anthony; Jo Marie Ali and husband, Akram. his brother's children, Dr. Christen Mowad and husband, Dr. Tim Murphy; Nicole Nassar and husband, Sani. He is also survived by 12 great-nieces and great-nephews, Jude, Simon, Tess and Keara McAndrew, Simone, Joseph and Marina Daniel, Christina and Joanna Murphy, Joseph and Nicholas Nassar. He took great interest in their many accomplishments and activities.

He was a graduate of St. Patrick's High School, attended the University of Detroit, graduated from the University of Scranton, with graduate studies at Cornell University. He spent his career as a statistician for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, primarily working in Harrisburg.

His Lebanese heritage was at the center of his very being. He traveled countless times to Lebanon, totally embracing the Lebanese lifestyle. He would hold residence at the Belmont in Ehden and spend his nights in the center plaza with worry beads in hand sipping coffee and arak.

Jim was known throughout the Lebanese American community. He was an active supporter of the Rene Moawad Foundation and assisted in many of its operations, in particular he was involved in the gathering of medications from the U.S. for those in need in Lebanon. He was a longstanding member of the National Apostolate of Maronites. He always attended the annual NAM conventions to reunite with countless Lebanese friends across the country and world. Recently attending conventions with his great-nieces and great-nephews, he was greeted by friends from across the country leaving his family in awe of the impact he left over the years on those he met.

Jim was a lifelong member of St. Ann's Maronite Church and member of its Holy Name Society. He was a recipient of the Silver Massabki Medal awarded by the National Apostolate of Maronites.

He had a large personality that matched his stature. He was knowledgeable, loyal and a pillar of the Lebanese community and will be missed by his family and many friends.

The funeral will be Saturday with Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. in St. Ann Maronite Church, Price Street and North Sumner Avenue in West Scranton, to be celebrated by the Rev. Monsignor Francis J. Marini, pastor. Interment will follow in the Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton.

Friends may call Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Savino Traditional Funerals and Cremation Care, 157 N. Main Ave. in Scranton, with the service of incense at 7:45. Friends may also call Saturday in the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Divine Liturgy at 10.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rene Moawad Foundation, 1732 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Third Floor, Washington, DC 20009, or online at rmfusa.org and under special instructions to seller please note in memory of James Mowad.