Joseph Massoud

Joseph Elias Massoud started life as the second child of what would be twelve children to Elias and Fadwa Massoud in Jaffa, Palestine. Joe loved his young life and was known for being the good boy –or maybe it was just the contrast with his older brother George who kept his parents up nights. George and Joe would be as close as any two brothers could be throughout their lives. In 1948, the family became refugees and resettled in Beirut. Joe never held a grudge. His last “best friend” was a Jewish man, and the two would alternate between Catholic and the Jewish prayers. Joe worked hard to help support his family while in Beirut, and through hard work and determination, he became Chief Financial Officer of a major Lebanese import company by the age of 24.

In 1956, Joe and George immigrated to the U.S., and the rest of the family followed three years later. Upon arriving in the U.S., George and Joe fell in love with sisters, Josephine and Gloria Massood, and the four were inseparable for 60 years.

Joe married his one and only love, Josephine or “Josie,” in November 1956 and began a family of his own. He was a devoted family man, who walked through the door every day at 5:30 p.m., sometimes carrying dinner. Joe was a gentle soul, always there when you needed him without judgement or hesitation. He was a devout Catholic, serving on the parish council and as a member of the Knights of Columbus. Always ready to forgive, there wasn’t a mean or hateful bone in his body. Family meant everything to him. Early in his career, Universal Corp. asked him to move to Chicago, and he responded, “There isn’t anything you could offer me to leave me family.”

He eventually joined his brothers-in-law at MGM where he worked until retirement. Joe had a passion for learning, and when computers where introduced, he made sure MGM had one of the first. He was a "software engineer” before the term was coined.

In the last years of his life, he was persuaded by his son, Bryan, to write an autobiography which was published two years ago titled, “A Life Well Lived.” His life is an example of one truly well lived, and we are humbled by his kindness and love for his family.  We take comfort knowing he is resting peacefully with his family, as we celebrate his life.

Joe is preceded in death by his wife Josephine, his daughter Patricia, his parents, his brothers George, Paul and Edmund, and his sister Josephine. He leaves behind 7 brothers and sisters; his children Anthony, Bryan and Michele; 15 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He will be remembered fondly, and deeply missed by all those with whom he walked the road.