Paul Hanna Barakat

BARAKAT Paul Hanna Barakat (October 6, 1953- May 13, 2006) Paul Hanna Barakat, 52, of Jacksonville, passed away suddenly May 13 while spending the afternoon with his family. A leader in the community, an international philanthropist, a beloved father, devoted husband and friend to many, he is survived by his loving wife Brigitte Raymond Barakat; his children Yasmina, Jonathan and Kayla; and a large extended family in the United States and abroad. Paul was an active member of the Saint Maron Catholic Church. He was also a member of The Knights of Columbus and a founding member of the Lebanese American Club of Jacksonville. He left his home in Lebanon in 1976 to attend the University of Dayton in Ohio where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. Following his graduation, he began his international career working in several companies in the Middle East. He later moved to Jacksonville to focus his attentions on his family, his faith, his church community, and Physicians Account Manager, Inc., the company he founded, and for which he served as President and CEO. Paul's loss is deeply mourned by his family, friends, colleagues and countless members of the Lebanese and Maronite Catholic community whose lives he has touched in Jacksonville, Lebanon and in numerous locations throughout the world. His charisma, compassion, generosity of spirit and unwavering joie de vivre will inspire us always. His surviving siblings are Joseph Barakat, Father Etienne Barakat, Samia Barakat, Pierre Barakat, Hannan Barakat; and in Jacksonville his brother Dr. Maurice Barakat and his wife Liliane, his nephew Oliver and his family, his nephew Steve Barakat, his niece Christine Barakat and his nephew Haissam Barakat and his family. He was preceded in death by his parents Hanna and Faride Barakat, his sister Layla Diab, and his brother Samir Barakat, all of Lebanon. The family will receive friends 7 PM Friday, May 19 at Saint Maron Church for the viewing and Rosary. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held 11:30 AM Saturday, May 20 at Saint Maron Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Paul Hanna Barakat Memorial Fund of the Saint Maron Catholic Church of Jacksonville, 7032 Bowden Road, Jacksonville, Florida, 32216 (904) 448-0203. Condolences to Paul's family may be written on the family website at www.beitbarakat.com under information/ message board. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com