Saturday, November 14, 2026
Philip (Rocky) Farhat lived life to the fullest, with love, zest and intelligence. He had a great sense of humor and shared it with everyone! He was generous to a fault, kindhearted, and thoughtful.
He was born to Rose (Rahall) Farhat and Joseph (Topper) Farhat, eight minutes before his twin sister Patricia (Patty) Farhat. Eight years later Penny Lee Farhat came along to fill their lives with more love and laughter.
He attended and graduated from St. Mary Cathedral High School and Ferris State College, where he earned a degree in business.
After graduation, Uncle Fred Simon knew a good man when he saw one and hired Rocky to work for him at The Essex Wire Company in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
A few years later he moved to Lansing where he was approached by Uncle George Abraham, who owned and operated the Teakwood Lounge. He picked Rocky to manage and eventually purchased that fine establishment, which became Rocky’s Teakwood Lounge.
This was a popular gathering place for Lansing’s young adults. He was lucky enough to hire his sister Penny to work the door, and he knew she would always have his back.
Of course, having Lebanese food (Kibbee) on Friday’s was a big hit with patrons. Aunt Eva and his mom Rose did the cooking, and cousins Joanne, Butchie, and Chuckie helped out.
Then some years later he sold the Teakwood and opened two new restaurants on East Michigan Avenue, called the Down Under and Bonnie and Clyde’s with his cousin and best friend from childhood, Lewis (Doug) Johns.
Later, Rocky got a job offer from friends who had a real estate office in Port Charlotte, Florida and they made Rocky an offer he could not refuse.
So, with his children and his wife Suzanne they moved to Florida, where he started a Custom Home Building Company which eventually branched into RE/MAX Realty.
Rocky has four children who he was always very proud of. They have grown into amazing adults, so caring and always there for their father and Suzanne. They adored their father. As Rocky’s health declined, they were even more attentive, driving day and night to give aid and comfort to their father and to help Suzanne with the many tasks at hand.
Rocky thrived in real estate and eventually opened up several RE/MAX Offices throughout Florida.
Rocky is survived by his loving and devoted wife Suzanne Farhat, his twin sister Patricia (Patty) Farhat (Scott Tobey), his children Kim Marie Farhat Ceballos, Timothy Joseph Farhat, (Susanne Farhat), Anthony Richard Farhat (Tia Farhat), and Andria Farhat Church (Tim Church); grandchildren, Nina, Marissa, Selena Ceballos, Preston and Pierce Farhat, Jackson Rocky Church, and in mid-November Baby Hudson Timothy Church, will be born, who Jido Rocky was anxiously looking forward to meeting with open arms; great grand-daughter Willow Ceballos and in a few months a Baby Boy Ceballos, another wonderful gift from Heaven, which Jido Rocky was anxious to welcome; along with many friends and relatives too numerous to mention.
Gone before him are his beloved parents Rose Farhat and Joseph Topper Farhat, dear Sister Penny Lee Farhat-Fletcher, his in-laws Marshall and Marilyn Bomar, and numerous relatives and friends.
Rocky was very successful at every endeavor he undertook and was a savvy businessman. At the same time, he was fair and loved by all his employees.
He was very charismatic and had a large personality but most importantly, he was the best son, brother, father, grandfather (Jido), and friend there ever was.
He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.
There will never be another Rocky Farhat. God rest his soul, his suffering is over.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude’s
Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny’s Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, in Rocky’s name.
Or Tunnel to Towers Foundation. They provide mortgage-free homes to fallen first responder families of 9-11-01 with young children.
2361 Hylan Blvd, Stanton Island, New York 10306. Phone: 718-987-1931, in Rocky’s name.
