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BORN
1951
DIED
2015
John Farrell Obituary
Easily recognized in the arts community for his theatrical style, which often included long jackets and a top hat, Farrell was known as a true and committed lover of music and theater, sometimes riding the bus for hours to shows in various cities across the Southland.
Memories and Condolences
for John Farrell
38 Entries
Robert Avila
March 19, 2016
I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. John and I go way back to Europe in 1972, where we took a class in art History. I roomed with John and another good friend Dwight Frank Shundo. Unfortunately he too has passed. We had many adventures on the streets of Paris , Rome, Austria and England. We ate, drank and laughed throughout Europe. He was certainly one of a kind. Rest in peace "Big John".
My sincere condolences to the Farrell Family.
Robert and Patsy Avila
Marilyn Penner
August 14, 2015
I am sorry to read of Mr. Farrell's death. He and Sean Wright wrote "The Sherlock Holmes Cookbook". I own a copy and the Toronto Reference Library's Arthur Conan Doyle Room has one. I'm sure it sits, well thumbed, in other Sherlockian libraries and kitchens.
Coleen Hefley
Coleen Hefley
July 25, 2015
I first met John Farrell 44 years ago in 1971 when he and Sean Wright came to my 9th grade English class where I was a student. Our teacher, Mrs. Cooper, had invited them to come to the class and talk about Sherlock Holmes. I ended up writing a Sherlock Holmes story as our class assignment and was invited to read it at a dinner hosted by the Sherlock Holmes club they lead. After returning from college in the 1980's I looked up the club and joined them and have been an active Sherlockian ever since. My whole "study" is dedicated to Holmes and I've hosted many Holmes mysteries at my house.
My nearly life-long interest in Holmes would have probably never happened had it not been for John and Sean sharing their interest with a spellbound class of junior high students.
I thank you, Mr. Farrell
Mary Anne Golden
July 10, 2015
A great, gentle man with keen writing abilities, John made Los Angeles seem small. You will be missed by so many of us!
John Farrell, art critic, Harry Hall, violin player, Mary AnneGolden, Writer and Public Relations, at the Long Beach Symphony Concert, April 2015
Mary Anne Golden
July 9, 2015
John Farrell and Me (Mary Anne Golden) at the Long Beach Symphony Concert in April, 2015
Mary Anne Golden
July 9, 2015
John Farrell, Theater Critic, at the Long Beach Symphony Concert April, 2015
Mary Anne Golden
July 9, 2015
Virginia DeMoss
June 27, 2015
John will be sorely missed by the Long Beach arts community. His reviews were always accurate, articulate, and interesting to read. A true man of the theatre. Rest in peace, John. We will miss your passion and insight.
Virginia DeMoss
May 24, 2015
Johnny, you will be greatly missed...Our family will miss your wisdom, funny stories, and playing Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. You will always be a part of our family! "Happy Trails to you!" Love, The Prizmich Family
May 20, 2015
I can't imagine a symphony performance without your presence and your critique. I loved your play reviews of the Little Fish Theatre. Thank you for informing me about their wonderful plays. I will miss you at the LB Symphony. You were able to share your passion for the arts until the end.
Donna Estrin
Jerry & Flora Loeb
May 15, 2015
We will miss you, especially on opening nights at the Long Beach Playhouse and Long Beach Symphony. We enjoyed your delightful company and comments and insightful reviews. The whole Arts Community, as well as we, are very sad at your untimely death. RIP John!
Gerald Lokstädt
May 15, 2015
Flash, you will be missed tremendously! R.I.P. John! Your BIG shoes can never be filled. Thank you for the great memories, opera debates, musical interludes, drinking fests, and the Saint Patrick's Day pub crawls over the years ending at your Mom's house in Lomita for her "famous" Corned Beef & Cabbage with all the trimmings. Thank you for mentoring me when I was Editor-in-Chief of The Students' Newspaper, The Union at CSULByou always gave sound advice. The whole LB/LA/OC arts community will miss your reviews and intelligent musing. You huge heart touched the lives of many and made the world a better place.
May 13, 2015
He never gave up on Sherlockiana even though the popularity of such a thing has past its regal glory days. He was a gentle giant.
David Theobald
May 12, 2015
John touched the heart of everyone he came into contact with. A great man. The warmth and friendliness he always carried with him will live on in his memory. The world lost a great, giant on a man. You will be missed by all that knew you. Rest in Peace Johnny.
David Barber
May 11, 2015
such a kind and knowledgeable man who shared his views of theatre and music will all!
Holly Baker-Kreiswirth
May 11, 2015
Thank you for being a true friend of the arts and for all of your support at Little Fish Theatre, Shakespeare by the Sea, and Act Out Mystery Theater. I'll miss seeing you and hoping that our shows entertained you. Rest in peace.
Michael Springthorpe
May 11, 2015
Rest in Peace my friend.
Bondo Wyszpolski
May 10, 2015
I'll miss seeing him at the opera and reading his reviews. A distinguished colleague.
Ryan
May 10, 2015
Any man that dedicates his life to reviewing local theatre is truly dedicated. Thanks for the great - and not so great - reviews, John!
Kevin Reed
May 10, 2015
John will be dearly missed.
One special memory of him was dining with him at an obscure local restaurant in New Mexico as we loudly debated the previous night's Santa Fe opera. John, who stood around 6'4", fit perfectly in the atmosphere wearing a duster and Stetson, an enormous bola, and sporting one of his ever-present oversized walking sticks.
After a while, we noticed that the entire restaurant was deserted, including the staff. We discovered the latter hiding in the kitchen. Not knowing we were merely discussing an opera, they were expecting him to murder me and were most puzzled as we left laughing.
Tom Robinson
May 9, 2015
Had the good fortune to meet John when we were Journalism students at LA Harbor Community College nearly 45 years ago. Although we lost contact through the years, my wife and I still remember him fondly. The hats. Sherlock Holmes. Save the Pupfish in Death Valley. Unearth a whale skeleton in San Pedro. Buy an ice machine for the Athletic Department to treat injuries. John was a fountain of knowledge, a fellow with many interests. Always a talented writer, John had a great heart and keen mind that made the world a better place.
David Graham
May 9, 2015
Thank you, John for always supporting us and for helping to keep arts in San Pedro alive. You will be missed by everyone at Little Fish Theatre.
darlene oliver
May 9, 2015
He was a great guy who loved the Long Beach theater scene. He will be missed.
Leo Smith
May 9, 2015
John truly loved the Long Beach arts community and was as passionate about theater as anyone I've known. It was a pleasure, an honor, to have been his editor for years.
May 9, 2015
I wanted to offer my condolences and a comforting thought. John 3:16- For God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.
May 9, 2015
John,
Thank you for your kindness and ardent support of the arts. Your seat will be reserved at CASA 0101 Theater tomorrow in your memory and honor at the performance you were planning to attend. I will cherish our last telephone conversation just days before you passed. You will be missed my friend.
Sincerely,
Steve Moyer
Doreen Mannion
May 9, 2015
Larger than life in so many ways, John scared the hell out of me when I first joined the Union Daily. It took me a few years to figure out why. Authenticity. Truly one of a kind.
Felipe (aka Phillip) Lamug
May 9, 2015
Not to be too nostalgic , but I remember John from junior high school and SPHS days. May our memories of him be forever be positive and constructive! Bless you John...
Kurt Peterson
May 9, 2015
Proud to have hoisted shared more than a few thoughts and drinks with Mr. Farrell.
Jack Shinar
May 9, 2015
A giant of a man with a heart to match, no one who knew John will ever forget him. He was a driving force behind the Long Beach Union, a student newspaper we started at Beach 38 years ago. Witty, wise, completely irreverent, that's what I remember most. His positive energy kept us going when obstacles seemed insurmountable. Some of the best times ever!
This is very sad news.
.
Florita Davis
May 9, 2015
Love you John, you will be missed and always remembered. Thank you for all your dedication to the arts and arts community. You truly were a giant among men and a teddy bear at heart.
Doug Mc Pherson
May 9, 2015
You will be missed by all of us at The San Pedro Theatre Club
Richard Ginell
May 9, 2015
This is a terrible shock. John was an indelible part of the landscape, a giant, Falstaffian figure always of good cheer and completely dedicated to this strange profession of ours. We will all miss him at the opera in downtown L.A. and in Long Beach.
Doris Koplik
May 9, 2015
John was a terrific guy with a huge personality. He loved the arts and he loved Long Beach Opera. He would do everything in his power to come to opening nights and there was always a seat waiting for him. John's distinctive presence complete with his favorite hat will be sorely missed. On the personal side, John and I have known each other for years. I can't believe he's gone and I am deeply saddened to know I will no longer be able to talk with him about music, opera, the state of the arts, or work with him on stories. I'll place flowers in his memory on the press table at the opening night of "Hydrogen Jukebox." He'll be there in spirit. We'll miss you, John.
Bill Courter
May 9, 2015
My cousin. Grew up around him. Always eccentric, funny, exceptionally bright, in keeping with his Irishness a fabulous story teller. Fortunately became reacquainted with him in confabs at the LBSO. Had just been looking at photos from his childhood a few weeks back. Very, very sad news. A giant in so many ways has passed.
Leslie Klinger
May 9, 2015
A giant has passed from among us.
Meg Thompson
May 8, 2015
Too soon, John--too soon.
Showing 1 - 38 of 38 results
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