Farrell L. Goble

Farrell L. Goble, diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia just 5 weeks ago, passed away with his wife and daughter by his side on Friday, August 22, 2025 at Christiana Hospital.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia "Pat" Ann (Bader) Goble; his daughter, Suzanne "Suzy" Johnson (Dan) of Landenberg, PA; his granddaughter, Amanda Farrell Johnson of San Francisco, CA; his grandson, Benjamin Patrick "Ben" of Philadelphia, PA; and his sister, Carol Lupe of Las Cruces, NM. He was predeceased by his parents, Russell and Edith Goble; brother, Ronald Goble; as well as numerous adopted and beloved dogs.

Farrell was born on January 30, 1936 in West Van Lear Kentucky and was the oldest of three children.

His family moved Delaware where he later graduated from PS duPont High School in 1953. He then began his career in banking, working at the Wilmington Trust Co. where he met and married Pat on February 21, 1957. In 1958 Farrell was drafted into the Army where he and Pat were stationed at Ft. Lewis in Washington State. He was honorably discharged in 1960 when they moved back to Delaware where Farrell began his retail career with JC Penny in the Management Trainee Program. He was later promoted and transferred twice in 1963 to McKeesport, PA and then in 1968 to Chillicothe, OH.

In June of 1969 Farrell resigned from JC Penny and moved back to the Wilmington area and joined the New Castle based lumber and hardware company, Brosius-Eliason Co. initially as the General Manager. He eventually become the President in June 1975 and was instrumental in the retail expansion of the company. He retired as the President and Chief Executive Office in December of 1996, after 30 years with the company.

In addition to his successful career at the Brosius Eliason Co., Farrell also served as a Director on several national and regional lumber related trade organizations, including the Lumbermens Merchandising Corp. and the Eastern Building Materials Association as well on the Advisory Board of the Jackson Lumber Company in Lawrence, MA.

Farrell was an avid golfer before and after his retirement having been a member at the former Three Little Bakers Country Club in the Pike Creek area where he and Pat have lived since 1969 as well as a former member at the Hartefeld Golf Club, Inniscrone Golf Club, Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club outside of Bethany Beach, and the courses at the Villages, in FL.

One of his greatest enjoyments was playing and coaching volleyball. He was an active player at the Hockessin PAL Center and participated on several Delaware senior Olympic teams. He began coaching girls' volleyball at the Independence School in 1999 and he took great pride in following the progress of his players after they graduated from the Independence School continuing to attend their games all over the state.

In April of this year Farrell received the Founders Award from the Independence School in recognition of his past service as a Board Member, a longtime supporter of the School as well as his years for volunteering his time, skill and encouragement as a coach to the girls volley ball program when he announced that he looked forward to coaching again this year.

Farrell truly loved his wife, daughter, grandchildren, golf, coaching volleyball and the Phillies – and he would have been the first to say not necessarily always in that order.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation Sunday, September 7th, Doherty Funeral Home at 3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE between the hours of 2p.m. and 4p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Farrell L. Goble Endowed Memorial Fund for Volleyball that has been established by the family with the Independence School to honor his passion for the coaching and mentoring of volleyball players. Donations may be made to the Farrell L. Goble Endowed Memorial Fund for Volleyball and mailed to The Independence School, 1300 Paper Mill Road, Newark, DE 19711.

Pat and Suzy would personally like to recognize and thank the incredible care of Dr. Ammar Albouzi as well as the doctors, nurses and staff in the ER at Christiana hospital – their care and compassion was truly incredible!