Jirjis Mubārik

Who was Master Jirjis Mubārik?

Master Jirjis Mubārik, also known as George, was a 7 (seven) year-old Syrian-Lebanese Titanic survivor who later became a used car dealer in Pennsylvania. Born on November 27, 1904, in Hardīn, Lebanon, Jirjis’s life was forever changed by his harrowing experience aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic in 1912.

Early Life and Family

A Lebanese Childhood

Jirjis was born into a family with strong ties to both Lebanon and America. His parents were:

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

Young Jirjis had one younger brother, Halīm, born in 1907. The family’s life took a significant turn when Jirjis’s father emigrated to the United States in 1908, settling in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, where he established a grocery store.

The Journey to America

In 1912, when Jirjis was just 7 (seven) years old, an opportunity arose for him to join his father in America. A family friend, Antūn Mūsà Yazbak, was returning to Lebanon to marry. He was entrusted with the task of escorting young Jirjis, his mother Amīnah, and brother Halīm across the Atlantic upon his return. Interestingly, Antūn’s new bride was Jirjis’ aunt Sīlānah, his mother’s sister.

The Titanic Voyage

Embarking on a Fateful Journey

On April 10, 1912, Jirjis, along with his mother, brother, aunt, uncle, and several others from their village, boarded the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg. They were traveling as third-class passengers, with a joint ticket number 2661, which cost £15, 4s, 11d.

The Night of the Sinking

When the Titanic struck the iceberg on that fateful night, Jirjis, his mother, and brother met up with Antūn and Sīlānah Yazbak. Together, they made their way to the upper decks where women and children were being prioritized for lifeboat evacuation. While Jirjis and his immediate family survived, tragedy struck as Antūn Yazbak was lost in the sinking.

Rescue and Recovery

“Upon their rescue by the Carpathia and eventual arrival in New York, Amīnah and her sons were treated for shock and exposure.”

The ordeal was far from over for young Jirjis. Not only did he and his family suffer from shock and exposure, but Jirjis and his brother Halīm also contracted measles. After a period of recuperation, the family finally made their way to Pennsylvania, reuniting with their father and friends.

Life After the Titanic

Settling in America

In America, Jirjis became known as George. The family initially settled in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, where his father ran a dry goods store. Later, they moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. George’s family grew with the addition of two more siblings:

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

Interestingly, George’s mother returned to Lebanon in the early 1920s, where she passed away.

Career and Personal Life

George’s professional life took an unexpected turn from his family’s retail background. He became a used car dealer, a career he pursued until his retirement in the 1950s.

On February 26, 1930, George married Eva Deeba Richards, a fellow Lebanese immigrant who had arrived in the USA in 1920. Despite their shared heritage and life together, the couple had no children. They made their home in Wilkes-Barre, residing at 47 Bank Street and were active members of St Anthony’s Maronite Church.

The Legacy of a Titanic Survivor

George Mubārik’s life spanned the better part of the 20th century, from the Edwardian era to the dawn of the computer age. He passed away on October 24, 1979, at the age of 74 (seventy-four), and was laid to rest in St Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover, Pennsylvania. His wife Eva followed him in death in 1983.

George’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. From a child survivor of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters to a successful businessman in his adopted homeland, George Mubārik’s life journey embodies the immigrant experience and the enduring impact of the Titanic’s legacy on its survivors.