Maurice Louis Rahal

Mr Rahal was a man that I immediately liked the first time I met him!! They had moved from Miami to the FT.Pierce area. Bryan became a teacher and Chris was a student at John Carroll. FAMILY WAS EVERYTHING: You knew that right off the bat when you spoke with him. In your life you will meet very few people that are REAL Mr Rahal was REAL he was a special person that was always a pleasure to be with. To the Rahal family my wife and I send our love and thank you for sharing your husband, dad, brother,and grandfather. Remember special people are always with us!!! Coach V

Chris, Bryan, and family: Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time. May your memories comfort your hearts.

Patty, Bryan, and Chris- You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May God comfort you today and always. The passing of Maurice is heartbreaking, but know that he is safe in the arms of his Heavenly Father. Love to you all. Donna and Hunter Patteson

Maurice was my brother, we were born on the same day 10 years apart, his wife Patty was a twin, my wife Kathi was a twin, his son Bryan and my son Anthony share the same birthday. As family lives get intertwined, ours in more ways than many. It all started when I was to young to remember, my mom made him take me with him to his friends or wherever he was going. I’m just reminded of a book I love that I read to my sons and now read to my granddaughter, its titled Me Too. It’s all about a big brother who’s sister want to do everything he does, and when he does it she says me too. That must have been me, hey Maurice, Me Too. He helped me get involved with organized football and came to every game and when I played High School Football he was there for me. He took me fishing with him often and I played on his softball team. He got me working in Appraising with him so I could work and go to college. That set me up for a career that would provide for me and my family. I am eternally grateful to him for all these things, we don’t always see it at the moment. Maurice had a great love for God, whom he would always credit for helping him at his greatest need. For family whom he cherished. Maurice was a man of great faith and he would regularly join me at Catholic Men for Jesus Rally’s up until he was no longer able. He was blessed with a great life by our Creator and although illness tried to bring him down, he fought as Saint Paul did in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight to the end, I have run the race to the finish; I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his Appearing.” No illness didn’t get him, God came and got him and took him home. He is with Jesus in the Kingdom of God, until we meet again my brother, I and all your family, love you and you will always be within us. Don’t forget the hugs and kisses to Dad and Stefani.

Our deepest condolences to you all. Maurice will always be in our hearts and memories.

Patty, Bryan, Chris, Kim & family my deepest condolences to each and everyone of you. My heart goes out to you in your time of sorrow. May he rest in the arms of our Lord. Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers always.

I was blessed to not only have my Uncle Maurice as an uncle, but also as a Godfather. Growing up, me and Chris were always spending the night at each other’s house. While we were very much alike, one of our biggest differences is Chris could sleep in till 2, while I was up at 8. So every time I spent the night at his house, I would wake up and go spend time with my Uncle. He was always big into computers, and was the one who got me interested into them. Anytime there was something I needed for my computer, whether it was a new printer or blank CDs to illegally download music and burn to sell in middle school, my uncle took me. We would spend hours in those stores, just checking out everything. We had a special bond, where even though we loved sports, the two of use always talked about the newest tech. These are some of the few memories I will always cherish. My uncle adored his family. He absolutely loved his two sons, and would always brag about them; his loving wife, who was always there by his side; his grandchildren, who he always bragged about; and of course, his two dogs. The last years were rough on my uncle, but that did not stop him from being with his family when he was able to. Up until recently, he was at every gathering we had. I will always remember my uncle for the strong, loving man he was, and while I will always miss him, it brings comfort to my heart knowing that he will spend eternity home with his father, my sister and our Lord. Uncle, I love you and you will always hold a special place in my heart.

Our family history started before Maurice was born..His Mom and Dad were at my parents wedding and were my Godparents. It was always Auntie and Uncle to us. A very happy day I remember was when Maurice (over 50 yrs ago) took Anna, Margaret and myself fishing.. It was my visit to Florida, now my home…I visited the Rahals with my Mom about 2 years ago .As much as Maurice had to deal with, he made time to see us both days we were there with the family…He and his family were there again for me when my Mom went to heaven a few months later..I am so sorry that his family will be without him until God calls..

To Patty,Brian and Christopher I’ve been trying to send my condolences so I will try again .my sincere prayers are with you all and I want to ask God to continue to give you all the strength to move on with Maurice love to all his brothers and sisters grandchildren and nieces and nephews.My entire nicklous families loved Maurice so much and our hearts and prayers are with you guys forever mitch

Patty, Bryan, Chris, Kim, Joseph, Trace, Jack and Kathryn. It is difficult to express in words my sorrow for your loss. I know how much pain, emptiness and loss I feel as his sister, but it doesn’t compare to yours. For Mom and myself, I cannot thank you enough for taking such excellent care of Maurice and most of all for loving him. This is the only moment that I am glad that Mom is not aware. I know she would not be able to bare it. We are blessed that we have been handed down by example, genuine love of family. We are grateful for all our family, extended family and friends who mourn with us. May we all remain strong and together as a family. And in time, may we share all our treasured memories of him in joyful moments until we are all together again.

I was first introduced into the Rahal family when my beautiful daughter (Kim) married her very handsome husband, Bryan. From there, Maurice, Patty and I shared the joy of having four grandchildren to fill our lives with so much fun and happiness. Maurice gave true meaning to the word “family”. Always there to help, nurture and take the lead when necessary. His loss will be tremendous and my heart goes out to the entire Rahal family. Please take comfort in knowing that while he is no longer physically present, he will most certainly be watching over each and every one of you with eternal love. My deepest sympathy to you all.

Gigi Bello-Cousin Beloved family, my heart aches for the pain and loss you are experiencing. Maurice’s loss feels much too soon as I had expressed to him and you a few weeks ago he was and will be remembered as as “extraordinary man”. His heart was always full of love for family and yet love for his fellow man. Like his father before him his heart and faith defined him. I sincerely believe that his memory will serve him and you in many ways in the years to come. Do not allow grief to take away of the the great memories, love and life you shared. Allow it to comfort you as your grief will fade in time. I know God will continue providing the faith you will need each day. I love you dearly and Will keep Maurice in my heart as I know you do. God bless you all.

What can you say about a man that you haven’t seen in over 15 years but still had an impact on your life to this day. Mo was always one step ahead of what seemed like everybody. (For sure me) He was a man that was loving and let nothing get in the way of his family. He was a big teddy bear until he needed to be a grizzly bear. He showed me the importance of being present and allowing your kids enough rope to get in trouble but not enough to hang themselves. My heart is full for Patty, Bryan and Chris.. I’m sorry I can’t be there to see you all..

I met Maurice when I started dating his cousin, Gigi (Georgette Rahal) when we were sophomores in high school and he was a senior. We grew close over the years and I considered him my brother. I respected and admired him as I witnessed first hand his love for God, family, his Syrian heritage and life (and Notre Dame football). Maurice was a man of character, highly principled who always chose to do the right thing even when it was not easy and even when it cost him. Maurice was a man of integrity, when he gave his word you could count on him keeping it no matter what. (Proverbs 15:28 “The heart of the virtuous man contemplates kind actions…)
Maurice was a man of God, he lived his love for God and reflected that love in his words, in his deeds and in his actions. Maurice was a man of his convictions……. if he would take a stand and stand firm for what he believed in and lived for. His convictions were his bedrock, he always stood tall and never gave up. (Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is more desirable than great wealth, the respect of others is better than silver or gold.”)
Maurice had a heart for the poor and for underdogs in life, he was generous yet humble with his time and talents to help anyway he could. (Proverbs 19:17 “The man who is kind to the poor lends to Yahweh: He will repay him for what he has done. (Psalm 112:9 “Quick to be generous, he gives to the poor, his righteousness can never change, men such as this will always be honored.” )
To Maurice family was everything. His wore his love of family like a badge of honor, always proud of his Syrian heritage and family gatherings. When I first was introduced to Syrian food my initial thoughts were I had never seen a family so deeply entrenched and in love with their (Syrian) food. I soon learned why, it was great tasting for sure but it represented so much more than that. It was the heritage, the history of the family, the love of family all wrapped together and it brought us all together in seasons of plenty, in seasons of little, in times of happiness, times of sadness. Our family get togethers consisted of long hello’s, lots and lots of food, laughter and conversations and long goodbyes. I had never experienced anything like it in my life but it is one of the most happy things I think about going to heaven. I cannot imagine how wonderful it will be with all of us reunited with all family members who have gone before us. You are experiencing that now Mo, please save places for us.
Maurice’s legacy is his family, there is nothing he would not do for any of them, he set an example for all of us to strive for. Truly, he was an extraordinary loving human being. Because of him we share in the following blessings that God bestowed upon his family….. Proverbs 15:28 “The heart of the virtuous man contemplates kind actions… (Proverbs 13:22 “The good man bequeaths his heritage to his children’s children…” Proverbs 17:6 “The crown of the aged is their children’s children; the children’s glory is their father.” Proverbs 20:7 “A virtuous man whose ways are blameless, happy his children after him!” )
Scripture says in Ecclesiasticus (Si) 11:28 “Call no man fortunate before his death; it is by his end that a man will be known.” Maurice we can now proudly proclaim that you were fortunate, and your memory will be honored by all who were blessed to know you. I am one of the many blessed to have known you and privileged to have shared so much of life with you. I will miss you deeply, remember you fondly and will joyfully anticipate seeing you again. (Proverbs 10:7 “The virtuous man is remembered with blessings…” Ecclesiasticus Si 41:13 “A good life lasts a certain number of days, but a good reputation lasts for ever.” Amen.