Elias George Sayegh

Elias George Sayegh “Elouse”, 68, of Orlando, Florida, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family at approximately 9:36 P.M. on Sunday, August 7, 2016 in the care of Cornerstone Hospice at the Orlando Regional Medical Center. Born on November 24, 1947 in Beirut, Lebanon to Janet Tawil and George Sayegh. He was predeceased by his parents, brother, Tony Sayegh, loving wife, Sonia Susan Sayegh, who died on February 9, 2010 after a painful battle with pancreatic cancer, and his son, Tony Gregory Sayegh, who tragically died on April 27, 2015. He is survived by his three daughters, Nancy, Mirta and Joanna, his son, George as well as numerous family members, friends, relatives and loving grandchildren. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Hector Acevedo for his dedicated support and Cornerstone Hospice Center of ORMC for their care and comfort for our father in his final stages of life. Elias was born in Lebanon where he lived most of his young adult life, embracing his Middle Eastern culture, Christian beliefs, and traditions. He attended University in Beirut and upon completion of his studies, and to escape the Lebanese Civil War, he embarked on his journey to Argentina where he would learn his knack and passion for business. As a young, talented and ever-so eager business man, Elias worked his way to the top, leading one of Argentina’s top shoe-making companies of the 1970s. He enjoyed his ability to travel all around the world, engaging with manufacturing companies from Panama, to Hong Kong and Macau, China. Elias adapted to the foreign cultures and expanded on his communication skills. At the age of 30, he became fluent in Spanish, English, Arabic, French and Turkish. Elias was also the first business man in the import/export industry to introduce the color television to South American countries. Elias later made his way to the United States of America, Specifically, Paterson, New Jersey, where he would gain the title and nickname as the “Land Lord of Passaic County”. Investing in multi-family homes, high-rise business offices, and free standing commercial properties. It was then where he would reunite with the love of his life, Sonia, in which resulted in the birth of their adored children, Nancy, Mirta “Mary”, George “JJ”, Tony and Georgette “Joanna”. Elias, made headlines and front page news as the first 24-hour operating gas station in the state of New Jersey. He loved to travel with his family to all parts of the world, especially, tropical destinations, such as Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire and several others. After several years, they decided to relocate to central Florida to settle and raise their children. Elias once again made a name for himself in the sunshine state after the grand opening of the first Middle Eastern deli/supermarket combo in the Disney area, Sonia’s Middle Eastern Deli and Supermarket. His customers would travel from all parts of Florida to shop and visit. Later, Elias would expand on his business ventures, with the opening of Lite Bite Buffet and also Burgers & Kabobs at the Osceola Square Mall. These fast-food based businesses in the food-court of the local, and once upon a time “happening” mall were the highlight of his life, as his children were able to learn and partake in his passion. This resulted in the ability and flexibility for Elias to further his business skills outside the states. Elias had then reestablished his international business relationships and was once again traveling to all parts of South America for his import/export business. Due to health and medical issues for both Elias and his wife, they decided to dissolve their businesses and retired in Orlando, FL. His interests then included gardening, cooking, buying/selling of trades on the stock market, politics and renovating their home. Up until the death of his son, Tony in early 2015 and his final stage of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Elias would visit his wife’s plot, water and plant her fresh flowers. In short, Elias was a bold, intelligent, courageous and adventurous man. There was nothing that he could not do, could not make or could not conquer. All who knew him, would seek his advice and wisdom. His family takes comfort in knowing that one day they will once again be reunited with their loved ones who are in the arms of the heavenly Lord. If you’ve taken the time to read this, then you were once a part of his Elias’s life. Please be sure to say a prayer for him and his grieving family as they celebrate his life and proceed with his final wishes for what remains of him on this earth. We thank God for the gift and blessing of the time we spent with him in the final moments of his life. A memorial service honoring his life will take place on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. by Father John McCormick at the St. James Cathedral Catholic Church located at 215 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801. Followed by the Burial which will be held at Greenwood Cemetery, 1603 Greenwood Street, Orlando, FL 32801. A Community Funeral Home is caring for the arrangements.

Elias George Sayegh

November 24, 1947 - August 7, 2016