Jacksonville legend Sam Mousa’s funeral service is set for Wednesday

One of the most meaningful figures in Jacksonville’s history died this week, and the funeral service has been finalized, an event that will bring the city together to remember the life of one of its most consequential leaders.

Sam Mousa served in five mayoral administrations and most recently as the Chief Administrative Officer during Lenny Curry’s tenure. He passed away at the Mayo Clinic at the age of 72.

The family will hold a visitation on Tuesday, January 28, from 4PM to 6PM followed by a Trisagion Prayer Service.

A second visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 29  from 9AM to 10AM, with a funeral service presided over by V. Rev. Archpriest Dr. Fr. Kamal Al-Rahil. at 10AM.

All visitation and funeral services will be held at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 6300 Bowden Road, Jacksonville 32216.

A graveside committal will be held at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Boulevard Jacksonville 32207 immediately following the funeral service.

Mousa’s heart gave out ahead of planned surgery, but as those who knew him can attest, he spent decades giving his heart to the city of Jacksonville. Over the course of a half century, Mousa was vital in many key roles in both the public and private sectors, shaping projects and public works like few others did in the history of Jacksonville’s consolidated government.

Mousa’s father passed away from a heart attack decades ago. At five years old, Mousa had to reckon with the awful reality of that death at the kitchen table in the family’s modest home in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Mousa’s parents, immigrants from Ramallah, Palestine, were merchants in a way that might not be easily understood in this era.

They loaded a truck with denim and dry goods, taking the goods from one remote farm town to the next, sending money back home for the family before they could buy that little Texas store and settle down.

By the time Sam Mousa was 18, his widowed mother had decided to come to Jacksonville after her son graduated high school, where he was able to put down roots as one of many in one of the most vibrant communities of Middle Eastern immigrants anywhere in the country, one whose impact has been pronounced in local history and remains so to this day.

A graduate of what was Florida Junior College decades ago, then of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Mousa would go on to rise through the ranks in City Hall over the years, involved in some of the most momentous and meaningful projects and initiatives in city history in roles ranging from city engineer and public works director to Chief Administrative Officer.

From the Better Jacksonville Plan and the Duval County Courthouse, a result of the John Delaney administration, to his tenure under Curry as what that former Mayor called “the most skilled administrator” in the city, and to his significant private-sector work for companies like J.B. Coxwell, JBC Planning and Engineering, and Mousa Consulting Group, it’s no exaggeration to say that Sam Mousa’s imprint on the City was as meaningful and substantial as that of any elected official or even group thereof.

Mousa is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sandy, as well as three children and (their spouses): Nick (Kara), Amanda (Phillip), and Robert (Cassie).

His six grandchildren — Buddy, Joseph, Victor, Samantha, Lilia, and Frank — were his pride and joy.

Official reaction, meanwhile, has come in from Jacksonville leaders who knew Mousa well.

“Sam Mousa’s deep love for Jacksonville shined bright through his decades of service over five mayoral administrations. His legacy will continue to be felt for many years to come and he will never be forgotten. My heart goes out to his family and may we all keep them in our prayers,” said Mayor Donna Deegan.

She is directing all City of Jacksonville flags to continue flying at half-staff on January 29 and 30, after the period honoring the late President Jimmy Carter.

“I am heartbroken at the loss of Sam Mousa and am keeping his family and our beloved city in my prayers. My prayer is not only for peace but also for grace. Though he is gone the echo of his wisdom will forever resonate in my heart. Sam was not just a friend and mentor but also a big brother to me.  As an only child his presence and place in my life will leave an indelible mark,” former Mayor Curry said.

Brian Hughes, who succeeded Mousa as CAO during the Curry administration, had these eloquent words.

“Sam was a once in a lifetime friend and mentor. He taught about work and about how to be a successful person. I literally could not have had the successes of these last 7 or 8 years without his love and support. Anyone who loves Jacksonville should understand his fingerprints are all over the great things about the city. It makes sense that his heart ran out of time because he gave so much of it to the city and the people he loved. I will miss him and think of him until I draw my last breath in this life. I loved him very much,” said Hughes, who is now working in the Donald Trump administration as deputy National Security Adviser for strategic communications.

“It is with profound sadness that I acknowledge the passing of my cousin, Sam Mousa. Sam was a tireless public servant who devoted decades of his career (to) making Jacksonville a better place. During his service for five mayors, Sam became known for his commitment to excellence, his remarkable work ethic and his ability to navigate the complexities of government with wisdom and grace. His contributions have literally shaped the city we see today, and his legacy will endure in the thousands of projects he championed, the people he mentored and the city he loved so deeply. We’ve lost a true giant,” said City Councilman Ron Salem.