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Tom Joubran
Born: 12/24/1925
Died: 1/26/2012
Age: 86
Community: Genesee Township, MI
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JOUBRAN, Tom - Of Genesee Township, age 86, died Thursday, January 26, 2012 at Henry Ford Hospital surrounded by his family.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church, 4133 Calkins Road,
Flint,
Father Paul Tarabay officiating.
Burial in New Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church.
Visitation 1-8 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint, where an incensing service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday evening. Mr. Joubran will be at the church 10 a.m. Tuesday until the time of the Mass.
Tom was born on December 24, 1925 in Nazareth, Palestine. In 1940 Tom registered at the US Embassy to immigrate to the United States, sponsored by his Uncle Tom Mansour. While waiting for his opportunity to leave, he worked in Hifa where he was kidnapped by a Jewish Terrorist group “Hagana” and held for seven days. In 1950 the SS LaGuardia carried him to the United States. The transatlantic journey took fifteen days. When he arrived in Michigan he worked for his uncle at the Mansour Supermarket. Tom worked his way up from the slaughter house, to carry out, meat department, stocking produce and then assistant manager. By 1957 he had saved $7,000 to purchase Eddies Market in Genesee Township from his wife’s uncle, S. J. Farah of Central Warehouse. He saw an opportunity since the market had bad produce, bad meat and bad attitudes with sales of $2,000 per week. He brought in good staff, meat and produce and began his lifelong journey of promotion and soon turned the business around to $25,000 in sales each week. The store operated for ten years at that location when lightning struck the building, destroying the property. A new supermarket was constructed and eventually sold to Russ Van Gilder of VG’s , where they still operate in the Grand Junction Plaza. Tom turned his talent for promotion to the Mikatam Lounge. Named after his children, Mike, Kathy and Tammy, the Mikatam is legendary for his 12 for 1 drink specials and top name bands like Bob Seger, Steppenwolf, Johnny Winter, Greg Allman and many more. Tom purchased 300 acres of land at the corner of Coldwater and Genesee Roads and like all of his business ventures, went all out and built Pineview Estates Manufactured Housing Community with 1,011 home sites. Tom was passionate and outspoken about business and government. Many local politicians would seek Tom’s support for their campaigns. He also became a target for politicians trying to make a name for themselves. Never dissuaded, Tom was always willing to work hard and fight for what he felt was right. Over the years he has employed hundreds of people, always willing to give someone a chance. He is very proud of his nephews, Alex Gores and Tom Gores whom he sponsored to immigrate to the United States and started in his grocery store. Both Alex and Tom Gores have amassed billions through their hard work and business smarts. Tom’s son, Michael has stepped in to run Tom’s businesses over the last few years along with his sisters Tammy and Kathy. The success of Tom’s businesses during this economic downturn is a testament to the work ethic and business smarts that Tom passed on to his children. Tom is survived by his wife, Julia Joubran, son Michael and wife Theresa Joubran, daughter Kathy and husband Bob Hicks, daughter Tami and husband David Karpelenia and grandchildren Thomas, Juliana, Jerald, Tamira, Morgan, and Daria.
Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
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| Visitation |
| Visitation 1-8 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint, where an incensing service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday evening. |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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1/31/2012 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
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| Location: |
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Swartz Funeral Home
4133 Calkins Road
Flint, MI 48507Get a Map to this location...
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| Official: |
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Father Paul Tarabay |
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