Eddie Farhat, storyteller, foodie, family comedian and accomplished musician, went to his heavenly rest on Monday, March 22, 2021, due to complications from COVID-19, just four days shy of his 71st birthday. Eddie was a friend to all (ok, most) and found so much pleasure in the friendships he built throughout his life, including dearly beloved cousins too countless to name. He took an equal amount of pleasure in giving all of these people a hard time every chance he got. It was a signature of his personality that we all loved. For much of his life, you could find Eddie holding court with a crowd, telling some story or another, the details of which may or may not have been fabricated, but were always entertaining. We even have a library of written short stories from Eddie starring his family members that are both hilarious and insane. We wouldn't want it any other way. He took great pride in his kids Jen Farhat (Ray Assessor) and Ed Farhat (Amanda Pasch). He could often be found telling friends and strangers alike about his kids' accomplishments (though they are fairly certain he had no idea what they actually did for a living). He taught them both the power of a well-placed swear word and the power of love. To say he was a colorful character would be the understatement of a lifetime — and he certainly colored their lives with a rainbow of memories and emotions. His nieces Susi Sandin (Matt) and Kelli Bostrom (Sean) were daughters to him — and he gave them as much guff as he did his own kids (especially when they'd question the contents of his shopping cart on the occasional run-in at the grocery store). Along with his sister-in-law Kari, their love and influence in his life was cherished. As was that of his great nieces and nephews Renae, Joey, Molli, Richie and Tommy. Eddie could always be relied on to say something with a flourish of foul language around them when they were far too young to hear it. It appears they're no worse for the wear. He despised anything with a spice level above white bread, anyone who dare spoke a negative word about his beloved Detroit Lions ("this is their year!"), his iPhone — in large part because he said his fingers were too big to text without any real buttons — and winter. It's not lost on us that he died just two days after the official start of Spring. It's clear he heard about a not-so-distant snowy forecast and this was his final protest of Michigan's inability to make up its mind as to what season it is ("Spring of Deception" was among his least favorites). But far larger than anything he disliked was his love for just about everything else. Among the top of the list was his love for music. He was a natural musician and loved playing his guitar. In the past year, he was blessed to have some of his songs get the attention of the indy music scene, having them played on radio stations internationally. It brought him a level of joy he hadn't experienced in a long time — something we are all endlessly grateful he could see in his lifetime. Of course, no snapshot of Eddie's life would be complete without mention of his love and involvement in the "family business" of professional wrestling. Whether as entertainer Captain Ed George or as a promoter, Eddie loved wrestling and never gave up on that dream. If you're so inclined, check out the clip from the 70s "documentary" I Like to Hurt People he took part in — be warned it includes fake discussion of kicking a dog and Eddie wearing a wrestling singlet and boots. These are "home movies" for us. It's just how it is. Also on his list of favorites was M.A.S.H., his boombox that still played cassette tapes, Lebanese food, poker, his cherished Michigan State Spartans (he never missed a game on TV), and the movies Dances with Wolves (or "woofs" as he called it) and Shawshank Redemption, a film whose title he never pronounced correctly once in his entire life. He was generous but frugal — and would frown upon a lot of "hoopla" for his funeral. Despite this, we have made plans to offer choices for the amount of hoopla friends and family can take part in. At 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 10, we will celebrate Eddie's life with a Catholic funeral mass (with limited capacity). Due to church construction, the ceremony will take place in the school gymnasium of St. Mary's School in Williamston, Mich. (directly across from the church). A visitation will precede the mass from 10 to 11 a.m. in the same space. We'll close out the day with a burial of his ashes at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Williamston, where he'll join his parents, Sheik and Joyce Farhat. If you're able to take part, the family would love to see you. We ask you to abide by strict social distancing and mask wearing practices because, COVID. For those uncomfortable in this setting, stay tuned for details for an outdoor summer celebration of life, which we'll host in the coming months when the weather (and increased vaccine adoption) makes this feasible. In addition to his parents and grandparents, and several beloved uncles and aunts, Eddie was also preceded in death by his brother Tom in October 2020, and we can't help but believe he was simply tired of being without his best friend. We take much comfort in knowing they are reunited. In lieu of flowers, the family would love for you to consider a donation in Eddie's name to the National Kidney Foundation. And we'll leave you with this: when you think of Eddie, remember above all else he was a man who loved deeply. This line from the Zac Brown Band sums it up pretty well, so we'll let them sign off for us:

And when you've seen the seven wonders
When you've sailed the seven seas
When you change the whole world with your heart
I hope you'll think of me
When I go to sing my final song
Hope you celebrate and raise a toast
If you cry, they'll understand For the man who loved you the most