Ziadeh John Farhat

FARHAT-Mr. Ziadeh (John) Hanna Farhat passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 23, 2016. He was born on November 14, 1933 in Ramallah, Palestine and moved to America in 1948. Ziadeh was founder of Green Acres Sporting Goods, Inc., the largest family owned and operated sporting goods store in the region for over 45 years. He was a member of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church and a member of the order of St. Ignatius, as well as a member of the Ramallah American Club of Jacksonville. Ziadeh was predeceased by his father Hanna Ziadeh Farhat, his mother Sarah Hanna Farhat, his son Farhat Eddie Farhat, and his grandson Jackie Ziadeh Farhat, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Jeanette, Daughter Cindy (Buddy) Gazaleh; sons Johnny (Maysaa), Jackie (Susan) and Abraham (Maysoon); sisters Abla Essa Bateh and Lamya Fuad Jaber (of San Francisco); 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, and countless nieces, nephews and cousins.

Many families who immigrated to Jacksonville from Ramallah would make Ziadeh's house their home until they could get on their feet. Ziadeh was known for his green thumb as he would tend to the family garden in the springtime, and then sell his harvest to the Arabic community. When fall and hunting season arrive, Ziadeh would spend his time in the store sharing stories with customers or in the woods doing what he loved--turkey hunting. In 1987, he had taken the Florida State Record Osceola Wild Turkey, a record that stood until 1998. A vigil service will be held at St. George's Antiochian Orthodox Church on Tuesday, October 25, 2016. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the Trisagion at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. George's with interment following at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Town and Country Chapel 7262 Normandy Blvd. Jacksonville, Florida 32205. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the community for their support during this difficult time. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com