Joseph Nicholas "Joe" Haddad

Joseph Nicholas Haddad, 71, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma passed peacefully at home on February 20, 2021. He was born August 6, 1949 in Jounieh, Lebanon to Nicholas and Laurice Haddad. He was the first born son after four daughters. He grew up in Jounieh and attended school in Tripoli. He enjoyed playing volleyball in his youth. At age 19 he immigrated to Chicago, IL where he went to college and started driving for the city. He worked summers in Chicago after transferring to Central State University in Edmond where he completed his Bachelors in Business Management. On January 2, 1977 Joe married the love of his life Celia Nell Saied at All Souls Episcopal Church in NW Oklahoma City. In January 1983 their first son Joseph was born and they finally became parents. Later that year, their middle son Michael was born in September and they suddenly had their hands full. In June 1985, their only daughter Lauren was born and their family was complete. Joe was always a very hard worker and faithful employee of the city of Oklahoma City for over 33 years as a bus driver. Joe was always a very dedicated worker and enjoyed attending his children's activities as his schedule allowed. He embraced his Lebanese culture and was frequently on the drum at family events and celebrations. He was a faithful member of St Elijah Orthodox Church. A favorite pastime was taking his kids fishing at Ski Island or Purcell. Upon retirement, he enjoyed slow mornings drinking the senior citizen discount coffee at McDonalds almost daily with his buddies. His main hobby was seeing what the daily specials were at Crest, often coming home with enough food for all his grown children and their families. Joe spent many of his retired years growing a beautiful garden and tending carefully to his lawn. Joe took pride in cooking and entertaining as no one ever came over that wasn't offered one of his specialties. He also had a very gentle and kind spirit. He was always finding ways to help his friends and children find automobiles, appliances, a constant supply of toilet paper and mattresses. In 2018, he beamed with pride walking his daughter down the aisle for her wedding. The pinnacle of his family life was becoming a Jiddy to his 5 grandchildren. He enjoyed taking them to McDonald's for Happy Meals and Ice Cream. At his home he would often spoil them with candy, Twinkies and spoonful's of jelly despite his children's protests. During the pandemic he and Celia grew incredibly close as he even accompanied her to some estate sales. He is preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Sally & Cecil Saied, sister Nadia and brother-in-law Younan Chidiac, and brother-in-law Nabil Nuwar. He is survived by wife Celia of the home, son Joseph and wife Bobbie, and grandsons Saied and August Haddad of The Village, son Michael and wife Andi, and grandchildren Kira, George and Natali Haddad of Oklahoma City, daughter Lauren and husband Matt Hesser of The Village, sister Souhila and husband Hana Haddad, sister Helen Haddad, sister Afaf Nuwar, brother Michael and wife Diana Haddad, brother William and Clemence Haddad and many extended family. Visitation on Tuesday February 23rd from 4-6 at Smith Kernke 14624 N. May Ave, OKC 73134 and Funeral at 10:30am on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at St Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 15000 North May Ave, OKC, OK followed by internment at Fairlawn Cemetery. The family request in lieu of flowers to the Flowers Do Not Wither fund c/o St Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church.