KHALIL MIKHAIL On Sunday, September 16, 2018, Mikhail Khalil, 84, fell asleep in the Lord. Mikhail was the beloved husband of the late Agnes Khalil, father of Tamam Mansour (Naim), Zelfa (Dr. Imad Alizray), Michael, Leila (Dr. John Newell), Dalel; he is also survived by his grandchildren, Zeina Livanos (Micah), Elie and Alexander Mansour, and Michael Alizray; also survived by three greatgrandchildren; also survived by his brothers and sister, Essa (Janet), Khalil (Sadie), Dr. Karim (Samar), Hanna (Jihad) and the late Elias (Yassemine), George (Awatif), Baheegeh (Elias), Badiya (Zaki), as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mikhail Khalil came to Pittsburgh from the tiny village of Miklos, Syria in 1956, after marrying his beloved wife, Agnes. From this union was born the foundation of a true legacy in Pittsburgh. Mikhail worked several years in any job he could, from working in the tunnels and under the rivers, to the iconic Islays, before landing a job as a butcher at Omar Kayaam, for 12 years, while his wife, Agnes, worked at Nabisco. In 1972, Agnes and Mikhail opened their first restaurant in Oakland, and together they began a legacy that lasted over 46 years. Five years after they opened their first restaurant, Mikhail bought the very same restaurant he was once a butcher in, and then bought a third restaurant - a cafeteria in Oakland. In the 1970s, Mikhail Khalil kept the promise he made to his father, and along with his beloved Agnes, brought his entire family over from Syria, one by one, and gave them housing, jobs and the foundation necessary to succeed in America. The family has since prospered from the fruits of their love and labor. He not only helped his own family, but tirelessly helped countless others from every walk of life, too numerous to count Mikhail is renowned not for his great accomplishments and successes, but rather, for his strong faith, love for God, generosity, humility, kindness and charity. First and foremost, in his life, he loved God, with all his heart, mind and soul. He served him every moment that he had breath. He loved the church. He was a chanter at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral for almost 50 years and went to church every Sunday and several times during the week, in the snow, and extreme heat, despite being confined to a wheelchair. Despite his success and prosperity, he was a simple, humble man who did not care for the temporal things of this world. He constantly and tirelessly gave of himself. He fed the hungry, gave to the poor, and never forgot the lonely, the lost, and the forgotten. This was his way, because this is Christ's way. Mikhail's accomplishments are too numerous to count. He and his beloved wife, Agnes, were always being featured in news outlets or cooking shows. Mikhail was one of five chefs in Pittsburgh who was featured on the Kitchen Theatre Marquis at the Carnegie Science Center and is the founder of the Syrian Educational and Cultural Exhibit at the Pittsburgh Folk Festival. In 2016, Mikhail Khalil received a Lifetime Achievement award from Global Pittsburgh for his contributions to Pittsburgh. Mikhail Khalil had a beautiful passing from this life into the Glorious Kingdom of Heaven, escorted by angels and surrounded by his children praying and praising God with Holy Hymns. This day was what he lived his life for. His legacy will continue on by his children doing the work he loved, serving God. May his memory be eternal. Friends will be received at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral on Thursday and Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. where a Trisagion Service will be held at 7 p.m. each evening. Additional visitation will be held on Saturday, one hour prior to an 11 a.m. Funeral Service. Arrangements by JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS, INC., freyvogelfuneralhome.com Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
