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Bikies among hundreds at convicted drug boss Tony Mokbel's mother Lora's funeral

HELLS Angels bikies joined gangland survivor Mick Gatto in farewelling crime boss Tony Mokbel's mother.

Lora Mokbel, 83, was farewelled at a service at Our Lady Of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church in Thornbury yesterday, where mourners mixed with some of Melbourne's criminal elite. 

Her drug boss son Tony, who is serving 22 years in prison for drug trafficking, did not apply to attend the funeral. His younger brother, Milad, also serving time for drug offences, was also absent.

The brazen display by attendees of Hells Angels patches and logos comes as police vow a crackdown on outlaw bikies and after revelations a police officer corrupted by the Hells Angels was stealing documents that could identify informers. 

 

Lora Mokbel, 83, was farewelled at a service at Our Lady Of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church in Thornbury yesterday, where mourners mixed with some of Melbourne's criminal elite. 

Her drug boss son Tony, who is serving 22 years in prison for drug trafficking, did not apply to attend the funeral. His younger brother, Milad, also serving time for drug offences, was also absent.

The brazen display by attendees of Hells Angels patches and logos comes as police vow a crackdown on outlaw bikies and after revelations a police officer corrupted by the Hells Angels was stealing documents that could identify informers. 

Funeral of Tony Mokbel's mother, in pictures

 

 A heart-shaped, yellow wreath from "your loving son Tony and family" was laid on Mrs Mokbel's casket and carried out of the church by his family. 

Mrs Mokbel's daughter-in-law, Zaharoula Mokbel, stood out among the black-clad attendees with her bright red hair.

The arrival of the bikies, along with Mr Gatto, his bodyguard, and business partner John Khoury, was a surprise considering Mrs Mokbel had little idea of her sons' criminal lives.

Tony Mokbel blamed Mr Gatto for being lured and bashed by Coffin Cheaters bikies outside La Porcella restaurant in Carlton at the height of the gangland war. 

Funeral for Tony Mokbel's mother Lora

The grandson of Tony Mokbel's mother Lora and the son of Tony's brother Milad carriers the portrait of his late grandmother at the Our lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church in Thornbury. Picture: Garmston Nicole

The Life and Crimes special report

 Mr Gatto, who is close to Tony Mokbel's older brother, Horty, placed a tribute to Mrs Mokbel in yesterday's Herald Sun sending his deepest and sincerest condolences. 

"Thinking of you at this sad time," it read.

The notice was placed by Mr Gatto, John Khoury and Ange Venditti - a close friend of troubled former AFL star Ben Cousins.

Another to pay tribute to Mrs Mokbel was Vincent Benvenuto - the son of a Mafia boss and convicted drug dealer. 

The many faces of Tony Mokbel

 Some observers were left wondering about the significance of patched-up Hells Angels at the service. 

A confidential police email, made public in March, warned the Angels were in conflict with the outlaw Bandido gang.

Lora Mokbel funeral Fawkner Cemetery

Mourners gather for the burial of Lora Mokbel, Tony Mokbel's mother at Fawkner Cemetery. Picture: Hargest Jon

Tony Mokbel is known to be at odds with a senior Bandido, who has twice been wounded in shooting ambushes.

The Bandido was for some time in a relationship with Danielle McGuire, Mokbel's former partner and the mother of one of his children.

Mrs Mokbel single-handedly raised her four boys after her husband's death 33 years ago when Tony was just 15. The family migrated to Australia from Lebanon in 1974 and Tony would walk his mother to a meat factory everyday at 4.30am at age 10.

Mrs Mokbel died on Mother's Day of natural causes after living the last two months of her life in church care. Monsignor Joseph Takchi described her as a deeply religious and humble woman, who prayed every day.

Fr Joseph said the hard-working mother committed her life to her family and was dedicated to her children and grandchildren.

The hearse carrying Mrs Mokbel rolled into Fawkner Memorial Park at 12.30pm.

About 150 mourners crammed into the narrow valley of vaults where Mrs Mokbel was laid to rest alongside husband Sajih.

One man described Mrs Mokbel as a great woman.

 

"That's why so many people are here. I'm sure Tony will be hurt that he couldn't be here to say goodbye," the man said.
 

- with David Hurley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony Mokbel's mum Lora

Tony Mokbel's mum Lora pictured at home. Picture: HWT library

 

 
 

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