Assaad Farid Felefli

It is with deep sadness that the family of Assaad Farid Felefli announces his passing on October 30, 2024 in Spring, Texas. 

Assaad was born in the small village of Qaouzah, in the far south of Lebanon, on May 15, 1940, to Farid Felefli and Bahiya Saqr, who he married after being widowed. Assaad was the oldest of their five children and had two older brothers from his father’s first marriage.

Confronted with the loss of his father as a young boy, and having a natural love of learning, Assaad attended a Jesuit boarding school in Bikfaiya, Lebanon starting at the age of ten. He developed a close paternal bond with the headmaster, Father Dalverny, whom he would always credit with being a profound influence on him. Assaad excelled academically and was the first in his family and his entire village to go to college. He went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in History from the Lebanese University. He taught history and geography in public schools and at the prestigious Jamhour School in Lebanon and was loved and respected by his students and co-workers alike. He received numerous teaching awards and retired after 25 years of dedicated service. After moving to the United States, Assaad worked in men’s retail for the Dillard’s Corporation until his retirement, again receiving many awards for his work.

His quest for knowledge was life-long. He loved reading books and newspapers from cover to cover. His interests were varied: history, philosophy, literature, poetry, writing, the arts, architecture, and many others. He had a brilliant mind, was full of knowledge, and was a great conversationalist. People from his extended family and beyond sought him out for his wisdom and respected his sound advice. He was also an accomplished self-taught artist, with his paintings gracing the walls of his and his childrens’ homes. Assaad’s wants were few, his principles and sense of duty were unyielding, and he strove to live life with dignity and honor. He had a quiet faith in God and a special reverence for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Most importantly, he had a pure heart and loved his family.

Assaad and his wife Nehmat Haj were married in Lebanon in 1969 and their marriage endured for 55 years. They had three children: Sandra, Bernard and Nadim. After years of civil war in Lebanon and wanting to make a better life for their family, they made the difficult decision to permanently immigrate to the United States in 1984 and start a new life. Despite the uncertainties and hardships, they had to confront, they found their way and made a loving home for their children and eventually grandchildren. “Jiddo” Assaad adored his grandchildren, and they became the light of his life in his later years. 

Assaad is survived by his wife Nehmat; his children Sandra and her husband Alex Chandy, Bernard and his wife Grace, and Nadim; his grandchildren Sophia, Natalie, Helena, Norah, Peter, Simon and Christopher; his sister Nijme Kiriakous, his sister Nazha Felefli, and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family members. 

He is preceded in death by his father Farid Felefli, mother Bahiya Saqr, brother Nhemtallah Felefli, brother Shukrallah Felefli and his wife Saida Felefli, sister Mariam Felefli and her husband Jiryis Felefli, brother Said Felefli, brother-in-law Michalis Kyriacous, and nephew Zaydan Felefli. 

The memorial service for Assaad will be held on Wednesday, November 6, at Our Lady of the Cedars Church (11935 Bellfort Village Dr., Houston, TX 77031), starting with a viewing at 6:00 PM, followed by the Rosary at 6:30 PM. The funeral liturgy will begin at 7:00 PM. Interment will take place the following day, at Tranquility Oaks Cemetery (22674 Hildebrandt Rd, Spring, TX 77389) at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Assaad’s memory to Our Lady of the Cedars’ fundraising campaign for relief efforts in Lebanon.