Youngstown - With deep remorse we announce that the Lord Jesus has called our brother Father Nehmatallah El-Hayek to his eternal home on Tuesday morning, May 10, 2011 after a short illness at St. Elizabeth Hospital where he had worked for several years in pastoral care. He was surrounded by his family and caregivers. Prior to being admitted to the hospital, he felt privileged to have received the compassionate care of the Antonine Sisters in their day care facility in North Jackson. Father Nehmatallah was born September 1, 1928 in Bejje Lebanon, the son of Elias and Helen (Hage) El-Hayek. Father El-Hayek was ordained a priest June 8, 1952 for the Patriarchal Eparchy in Lebanon where he served until he moved to the United States in 1965. From then until his retirement in 1998 he served as pastor in many Maronite parishes throughout the United States: Wheeling, WV, Scranton, PA, Springfield, MA, Akron, Oh, Chicago, IL, Portland, OR, and Milbrae, CA. He loved visitors and always found the time from his pastoral duties to be a gracious host to many. Despite retirement from serving as parish pastor, Father continued to serve God throughout his life and particularly enjoyed his work at St. Elizabeth Hospital that continued until his recent illness no longer allowed him to do so. Father was an avid reader and like to collect coins and match boxes. He assumed the role of Patriarch for his six siblings when their father was called to God. He enjoyed traveling to be with his family and extended family. In recent years he had moved to the Youngstown area to be close to his adored nieces and nephews for whom he served as a compassionate and caring mentor. He leaves to mourn him his brothers and sisters, Alice (Sarkiss) Souiby, Maurice (Marmar) El-Hayek, Laurice El-Hayek, Nehmatallah (Lena) El-Hayek, Najat (Mounir) El-Hayek, all of Lebanon, and Dr. Mounir (Dr. Consuelo Mendez) El-Hayek of Canfield, 17 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a nephew Charbel El Hayek. There will be a Pontifical Funeral Liturgy celebrated on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Maron Church, 1555 S. Meridian Rd., Youngstown with Chorbishop Michael Kail presiding. Friends may call on Friday, May 13, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday morning May 14, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. all at St. Maron Church, 1555 S. Meridian Rd., Youngstown where the Maronite Ginnaz Service will be held on Friday at 7:00 p.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery, Austintown. Material contributions can be made to the Antonine Sisters, 2675 North Lipkey Rd., North Jackson Ohio, 44451. Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences to the El-Hayek family by visiting www.rossisantuccifh.com. Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home Dedicated To Your Loved Ones