Halīm Mubārik

Who was Master Halīm Mubārik?

Master Halīm Mubārik, later known as William Borek, was a 4-year-old Syrian-Lebanese Titanic survivor who embarked on a journey that would shape his life and become a part of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters. Born on July 15, 1907, in Hardīn, Lebanon, young Halīm’s early brush with tragedy would lead him to a new life in America, where he would grow up to become a businessman and family man.

Early Life and Family

A Lebanese Beginning

Halīm was born into a family with roots deeply planted in Lebanese soil. His parents were:

• Father: Jirjis Mubārik Bū Tannūs (born 1874)
• Mother: Amīnah Iskandar Nāsīf Abī Dāghir (born 1887)

The young boy had an elder brother named Jirjis, born in 1904, who would accompany him on their fateful journey across the Atlantic.

A Father’s American Dream

In 1908, when Halīm was barely a year old, his father embarked on a journey that many Lebanese dreamed of at the time—he emigrated to the United States. Settling in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, Jirjis Mubārik Bū Tannūs established a grocery store, laying the foundation for his family’s future in America.

The Voyage That Changed Everything

A Family’s Reunion Plan

Four years after his father’s departure, young Halīm, his mother Amīnah, and brother Jirjis prepared for their own transatlantic journey. Their ticket to a new life came in the form of a family friend, Antūn Mūsà Yazbak, who was returning to Lebanon to marry. Antūn agreed to escort the family back to America upon his return.

The Titanic Journey

On April 10, 1912, Halīm and his family boarded the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg, France. They were traveling as third-class passengers, their hopes and dreams contained in a joint ticket numbered 2661, which cost £15, 4s, 11d.

The Night of the Sinking

On that fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Halīm’s life hung in the balance. The family met up with Antūn and his new bride, Sīlānah (Halīm’s aunt), and made their way to the upper decks. In the chaos and terror of the sinking ship, Halīm, his mother, and brother were fortunate enough to secure places in Lifeboat 14. Tragically, Antūn Yazbak did not survive the disaster.

A New Life in America

Recovery and Relocation

Upon rescue by the Carpathia and arrival in New York, the ordeal was not yet over for young Halīm. He and his brother had contracted measles, and the family was treated for shock and exposure. After recuperating, they made their way to Pennsylvania to reunite with Halīm’s father.

Becoming William

In America, Halīm became known as William. The family settled in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, where his father ran a dry goods store. William’s family grew with the addition of two younger brothers:

• Roy (1916-1990)
• Daniel (1918-1986)

However, the family faced another change when William’s mother returned to Lebanon in the early 1920s, where she later passed away. Following this, William, his father, and brothers relocated to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Adult Life and Legacy

Family Man and Businessman

William married Jennie Sarkis, a Pennsylvania-born daughter of Lebanese immigrants, and together they had three daughters:

1. Evelyn (born 1930)
2. Lois Ann (born 1934)
3. Marlene (born 1936)

The family made their home in Observatory, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where William operated his own business.

A Quiet Survivor

Interestingly, William reportedly disliked discussing the Titanic disaster. Like many survivors, he may have found the memories too painful or wished to focus on the life he built rather than the tragedy he endured.

Final Years

William Borek passed away on August 29, 1975, in Observatory at the age of 68 (sixty-eight). He was laid to rest at Christ our Redeemer Cemetery in Pittsburgh, leaving behind a legacy as a Titanic survivor, businessman, and family man. His widow, Jennie, lived on until 2006.

Master Halīm Mubārik’s journey from a young Lebanese boy to William Borek, the American businessman, encapsulates a story of survival, resilience, and the immigrant experience in early 20th century America. His tale serves as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind the Titanic’s fateful voyage and the lives that were forever changed by that night in April 1912.