David Graham Farnham

1931 - 2022

David Graham Farnham

Hadley, MA — It is with heavy hearts that the family of David G. Farnham announces his passing on January 31, 2022. David was a longtime resident of Hadley, Massachusetts, and had recently reached his milestone 90th birthday.

David was born September 22, 1931, in Norwich, Connecticut, the youngest of three children to parents Elmer and Francis (Murphy) Farnham. He graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1949 and attended Springfield College before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1951. He served two and a half years of active duty as a medic at Camp Edwards and Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod. After being honorably discharged, David continued his education, eventually graduating from Boston University in 1955 and then Sargent College of Physical Therapy in 1956.

Upon graduating, David held multiple physical therapy positions in Florida, Rhode Island, Iowa, West Virginia, and then finally the Veterans' Association Medical Center in Northampton, Massachusetts, where he would become Coordinator of Rehabilitation Medicine and retire after 32 years of service.

It was in Florida that David met the love of his life, a petite yet feisty Austrian girl named Veronika "Lindy" Lindbichler, and they wed in 1957. Together they moved to the various locations where David held a job and along the way had three boys.

David's dedication to service continued to his community where he was one of the leaders of the then-fledgling Hadley Cub Scouts; coached the "Reds" Little League baseball team; and served elected positions on the Hadley Park and Recreation Committee, School Board, and 24 years on the Board of Health. He was a member of the Hadley Young Men's Club and Polish American Club, and was appointed to the Norwottuck Rail Trail Advisory Committee.

Despite his busy life, David found time each year to plant a bountiful garden. He traveled with his wife to her native Austria multiple times, where her family and her entire village embraced him as one of their own. He took great pride in sending his boys to college, attending their soccer and rugby games and becoming an honorary member of his sons' fraternity. Up until the time he became ill at 89 years old, he could be seen walking all over town, particularly on his pet project the bike path and at the UMass stadium.

David was not one to embrace technology; in fact, he never owned a computer, a cell phone, or even an ATM card. But he did not consider himself at a disadvantage because of this. He was instead all about human interaction and liked going to the bank in person rather than doing his banking online; he liked going to the store and chatting with people while out and about rather than making online purchases at home; he liked handwriting a personal note rather than sending an email. Instead of the number of online followers he had or the speed with which he could complete a transaction, David loved meeting new people and connecting with old friends, and that is what he placed great value in.

David is predeceased by his wife, Veronika, of 56 years; his parents; his sister Eleanor Frolio and her husband Stanley; and his son Steven. He is survived by his two remaining sons: David F. Farnham and wife Jacqueline Waldman-Corbat and Michael Farnham and wife Sara "Sally" Farnham; five beloved grandchildren: Jack, Caleb, Olga, Grace, and MaryKate; one precious great-grandson, Blake; sister Jane Wood and husband Leonard; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Douglass Funeral Home in Amherst will handle the arrangements. The family would like to thank the staff at Care One in Northampton for their compassionate care of David.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Keene State University Men's Soccer Program.

Please make checks payable to "Easthampton Savings Bank" (reference David G. Farnham Memorial Fund) and send to Easthampton Savings Bank, P.O. Box 81, Hadley, MA 01035. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com