Sarkis Maksisi 1964-2008In one of the biggest funerals ever seen in Australia, thousands of Lebanese community leaders and members bid farewell to the late Sarkis Youssef Maksisi, President of the Association of Zgharta, Australia, at Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Sydney.

The funeral convoy made two significant stopovers, one at the Zgharta House, Guildford, and the other at his family home in Woodpark.

As the convoy arrived at the church, members of the association raised the coffin and marched through tens of ladies lining up to greet Sarkis Maksisi with flowers and tears while a Scottish band played the theme of Honour and Amazing Grace.

In attendance were, in addition to his immediate family and relatives, thousands of mourners led by Consul-General of Lebanon Robert Naoum and his Mrs; Zgharta community leaders George Douaihy, Alia Halabi, Michel Douaihy, Peter Bacha, George Zeidan and former association presidents; councillors Toni Issa, Eddy Sarkis and John Chedid; president and members of the Maronite Catholic Society, the World Lebanese Cultural Union, Australian Lebanese Association of NSW, Lebanese Community Council, El Marada Australia, the Free Patriotic Movement, Kataeb party, the Arab Bank Australia, Arkoub association and many Lebanese associations, clubs and parties; media figures Boutros Indari, Majida Abboud Saab, Ghassan Nakhoul, Elham Hafez.

Condolences were also offered earlier by Bishop Issam Darwich, NSW Minister Barbara Perry, Councillor Paul Gerard; media figures Antoine Kazzi, Joseph Khoury, Sayed Mikhail, Ahmad Salim, Camil Chalala and Akram al-Maghoush.

Fr Pierre Khoury celebrated the church mass. Youssef Sarkis Maksisi read the eulogy about his father. Readings in Arabic and English were delivered by Consul-General Naoum and Fabiola Sarkis Maksisi. Fr Sleiman Yammine delivered a heartfelt sermon. A message by the vicar patriarchal of Ehden-Zgharta Bishop Samir Mazloum was also read.

Consul-General of Lebanon Robert Naoum honoured Sarkis Maksisi with an appreciation shield in recognition of his valuable contribution to the Zgharta and Lebanese community.

Following mass, mourners gathered at the church's hall to attend a tribute dedicated to the great and loving man Sarkis Maksisi. Speakers included Sarkis Karam, Saeed Douaihy who read a message from Fr Estephan Frangieh, George Douaihy who spoke on behalf of the association in English and Antoine Harbie who spoke in Arabic. The final word which drew more tears was delivered by Sarkis' son Youssef Sarkis Maksisi who thanked everyone for their support and sincere condolences.

At the conclusion mourners had the mercy meal and remembered Sarkis Maksisi and his tremendous legacy which will live on forever.

Following is part of the moving speech of the vice president of the Association of Zgharta (Youssef Bey Karam Batal Lebnan) Australia, Mr George Douaihy:

"...A while back, Sarkis Maksisi dreamt that our Zgharta community would own a community house where our generations would meet and experience the Zghartawian values. A few years later, he turned that dream into reality with the purchase of the Zgharta House. He was not satisfied with buying the house, but aspired to pay it off through the generosity of the community he admired and cherished, and laid the plans to build a new centre that we can all be proud of.
His dynamic dedication is evident in his endeavour to back the canonisation case of the Venerable Patriarch Estephan Douaihy. His delight was remarkable when he learned that Patriarch Douaihy is proclaimed Venerable. That delight was interpreted by Sarkis into more activities, more planning and more vision for future events.
It is an understatement to say that we are going to miss him as a community and as friends. What Sarkis accomplished was indeed amazing and only a man with his talent, drive and faith could accomplish.
We will miss him much more than we all anticipate, but we must not forget that the legacy of Sarkis Maksisi ought to be treasured in our hearts and minds and the best way to do that is to vow to honour and preserve his achievements, to continue implementing his projects and ideas and to maintain our togetherness and bonding unity.
Dear Sarkis, I am sure you are keeping an eye from up there on proceedings, I ask you to pray for us like you always did.
Dear Sarkis, you will be sorely missed, but we take comfort from the fact that the gracious, caring and righteous Sarkis Maksisi we knew and loved is now embraced by Our Lady of Zgharta up there in the Heavenly kingdom.
God bless you Sarkis and our sincere condolences to your dear family, relatives and friends."

(SK 30/8/2008)