A Family Business Grows
Thayer Funeral Home was established in 1933 by lifetime Farmington resident, Howard W. Thayer. Mr. Thayer conducted funerals from 1933 to 1961 in a two-story building that was located east of Farmington Road on Grand River Avenue, in Downtown Farmington.
In recent years, Thayer-Rock Funeral Home has updated and remodeled its facilities to include larger visitation rooms, private areas for families, a spacious lounge, and barrier-free access throughout. Visitors often comment on the beautiful facilities, both home-like and comfortable, making Thayer-Rock Funeral Home unique to Downtown Farmington.
Howard W. Thayer
In 1962, a new facility was constructed one block west of Farmington Road where it stands today. This new location boasted a large private parking area and included many amenities Mr. Thayer was proud to provide to the families he served. He was now confident that his business could flourish in this first class facility.
Upon Howard Thayer’s untimely death in 1982, Robert became owner of the funeral home.
Robert G. Rock
In 1968, Mr. Thayer hired Robert G. Rock, a local high school student, into his employment. After graduating from Wayne State University in 1977, Robert was made a partner and the business became known as the Thayer-Rock Funeral Home.
Todd N. Turowski
Todd is a proud graduate of Detroit Catholic Central High School, class of 1994. On top of
receiving a top-notch education, Todd enjoyed playing football and was a member of the ski team. Amongst playing with great football teams in his four years of high school, in 1992 the Shamrocks were lucky enough to win the Division 1 State Championship. You may even catch him wearing his state championship ring around the funeral home from time to time, especially if he is caring for the family of a fellow alum.
After hanging up his helmet and cleats, Todd went on to attend Michigan State University. While in college, Todd was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. As a member of the fraternity, Todd served on the executive board as the treasurer and cultivated many lifelong friendships. In his sophomore year at MSU, Todd met his future wife, Shelby, who is from Grand Haven and also attended Michigan State. With all the social activities college presents, it is a bit amazing that Shelby and Todd actually met in a classroom.
After graduation in 1998, Todd moved back home to Livonia and prepared to attend Wayne State University’s School of Mortuary Science. During mortuary school, he also worked a lot with his dad at the funeral home. His brain was like a sponge, watching and listening to everything his dad said and did. Todd asked a million and one questions over the course of the next year and a half.
He was also very fortunate to work with his grandfather, Leonard Sr. from time to time. The two of them would direct a funeral together, then always go out for lunch. You could just see the pride in his grandfather’s eyes as he was witnessing his legacy continuing on into another generation.
After being 25 or so years removed from college, Todd still enjoys funeral service as much as he did as a 14-year-old boy. He learns something new every day and takes that knowledge to help people through a difficult time. Todd explains, “It is important to not only grieve the loss of a loved one but also to share the life that was lived and the memories made. During our lives we make
new memories every day, some days more than others. Everyone has a story. We help you share and cherish those memories now and for generations to come.”
“Most funeral homes dwell on death and caskets; we thrive on life and memories.”
-Todd N. Turowski
Paul N. Potti
Paul N. Potti became an associate in 1988, carrying on a long tradition of family funeral service, serving the families he knows from the Finnish and Swedish communities in the area. He had previously owned Memorial Funeral Home in Detroit for many years with his father, Noah A. Potti.
