JOHN FARLEY Obituary

John Farley
Journalist and publisher, died suddenly on March 30, 2020. He was a native Washingtonian and lived in the DC metropolitan area for his entire life. He received his BS in Foreign Service at Georgetown University and his MS in Journalism at The Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. His career included positions at the Jacksonville Journal, Phillips Publishing Company and The Fund for American Studies. He was an active member of St. Raphael's Parish Community, served as a docent at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and was active in the Big Brothers of America. He is survived by his wife, Jean (Nelson) Farley, son, Daniel Farley, daughter, Lauren (Farley) Robarts, sisters, Debbie (Farley) Betts and Sandy (Farley) McGaw, stepmother, Mary Farley and several nieces and nephews. A private funeral Mass will be held, and a memorial service will be scheduled at a later date, once current circumstances allow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John W. Farley Alumni Fellowship Fund at The Fund for American Studies, 1706 New Hampshire Ave, NW, Washington, DC, 20009. The fund will support the careers of young journalists. Please sign the family online guestbook at www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com

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Published by The Washington Post on Apr. 3, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for JOHN FARLEY

9 Entries

April 9, 2020

I went to Medill with John. He was such a great guy. My prayers for strength and consolation go to his family.

Patricia Keating

April 7, 2020

Dear Jean, Dan and Lauren
My heart goes out to all of you on this unexpected loss of John.
Bill and I have many memories of dinners with Jean and John. We always knew there would be a funny story, usually John telling some tale on himself. We will miss those stories. I hope that you can gain comfort from your many happy memories.
Sending you love and strength for the days to come.
Patty Keating

Joe LaPiana

April 6, 2020

John was an exceptional person and an extraordinary friend. We are all very fortunate to have had him in our lives. I cherish the countless fond memories I have of our friendship. I will miss him greatly.

Erika Mitchell

April 6, 2020

Jean-

I just learned of John's passing from Sally today via e-mail. My heart aches for you and your family. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Love and hugs,

Erika

Janet Richert

April 4, 2020

Dear Jean,

What a wonderful man John was! I am incredibly saddened by his passing. I wish you and the children the strength and comfort you need at this time. Take care of yourself!

Peter D'Ambrosio

April 3, 2020

I have great memories of John, particularly "February Birthday" dinners,Caps games and Hoya events. I will miss his friendship and upbeat attitude. A life well-lived but gone too soon.

Jackie LaPiana

April 3, 2020

I'll sorely miss John, the friendliest person I've ever met.

Jean, Daniel and Lauren - I hope the knowledge that many feel the same way will give you strength in the coming days and comfort forever.

Barbara Ann Myers

April 3, 2020

Dear Jean,
It's Barbara Ann Kelly Myers. I am so sorry to read the news about John. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I was recently going through one of the last boxes of my parents things. (Barbara and Ed Kelly) and I found your wedding announcement as well as your birth announcements. My mom and dad really enjoyed your friendship and were so pleased to meet John so many years ago. My late mother in law, Joan, was a long time active member of St Raphael's. Our paths likely crossed. I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you at this time.

Ed McNamara

April 3, 2020

My name is Ed McNamara and I was a classmate of John's during junior and senior year of high school in Jersey.
The following is what I added to a Class of 1968 group email remembering John:
John didn't get to St. Joe's until junior year when he moved from Maryland. I was impressed immediately when I learned he had a girlfriend who was a year older than us. I envied him there.
He was a dignified, restrained guy with a sharp intellect. I got to know him well when we were among the seven guys in Latin 3 and 4 with Mr. Ruiz. He lived in Allendale and occasionally would drive me home to Midland Park. He was one of those rare guys that your mother always would approve of.
Spent the summer of 1971 in DC, when we went to a few baseball games together and I visited him at his parents' impressive house in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Once we went to an Orioles night game at old Memorial Stadium. On the way home John was driving when we got lost in a very rundown section of Baltimore. He was from an upper-middle class family and probably had never been in such a place. Having lived in Paterson until I was 10, it wasn't foreign to me.
I was goofing on him that we were certain to be carjacked, robbed, shot and stabbed, and I felt bad when I realized he was freaking out.
Politically we were always far apart but always enjoyed each other's company. Seeing him at the reunions was a true highlight.
I read his Facebook post from the ICU the other day and was struck by the rare courage it took to get out the news about his serious condition. I still was shocked to hear he was gone.
Ed McNamara

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