Doug Farrell of Longport.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT Doug Farrell brought joy to all those who knew him and many of those who didn't.
Farrell, a retired podiatrist who summered in Longport for many years, passed away Friday, Sept. 29 at age 72 after a years-long battle with multiple myeloma. Although his treatments for cancer were continual, Farrell never let it get him down, even when his feet hurt.
He still served the community every opportunity he had, either singing the national anthem at community events, organizing an annual ocean swim that honored a lifesaver and benefited other people with blood cancers, supporting the Longport Beach Patrol, and entertaining hundreds of summertime visitors in the middle of the street, just like James Corden.
He wrote books children's books to bring joy and understanding about the wonders of the sea to children everywhere. Not only did his illustrated words inspire children to love sea creatures, but they also taught children about acceptance of others, no matter their differences. In addition to his beautiful Irish tenor voice, he was a bit of an artist as well. He painted seashells he collected from the beach with Longport's iconic smiley-faced water tower. The one he gave me holds a treasured spot in my backyard garden more than 20 miles from the sea.
He swam in the ocean every day while he was in Longport. When he traveled to his beloved St. John in the Virgin Islands, he swam there every day, too. Perhaps that's why he had such respect for the men and women who serve on the beach patrol saving lives as part of their daily routine.
He helped the Longport Beach Patrol re-establish and run the annual Capt. Turner Memorial Swim that raised more than $100,000 for the International Multiple Myeloma Foundation, garnering him special recognition from the nonprofit organization.
Longport's Doug Farrell as Maria in 'The Sound of Music'
Three years ago, he started a new unsanctioned tradition in Longport, replicating talk-show host James Corden's Crosswalk Musicals at the intersection of Atlantic and 33rd avenues. Asked if the city gave permission to hold the fully costumed productions, he commented that it was done secretly with practices in his backyard, and hopefully, the production would be over before the police found out. He thought nothing of dressing up as Mary Poppins and lip-syncing, Go Fly a Kite, or Maria Von Trapp singing So Long, Farewell from The Sound of Music. He started the Crosswalk Musicals, timed to be performed during the 27-second red traffic light, during the COVID-19 pandemic to fill the minds and hearts of Longport visitors with love during a difficult time.
Doug Farrell/Thousands of Monarch butterflies rest in a pine tree at Longport Point.
Farrell also advocated for the environment. When Gov. Chris Christie ordered the state to build one contiguous sand dune across the NJ coastline, Farrell advocated to save the natural dune along the borough's northern border with Margate where established goldenrod plants nourished the migrating Monarch butterfly population. He enjoyed watching the Monarchs from the front porch of his little cottage by the sea. Perhaps it's a blessing that he was taken from this world during the Monarch migration season.
Just weeks ago, he again advocated before the Board of Commissioners to do something about the bayfront property at the southernmost tip of Atlantic Avenue. He said he was not so much concerned about the unkempt look of the Longport Point area, which is a popular spot for walkers and bikers to stop for a look at the Great Egg Harbor Inlet, as he was about the safety of children and adults who climb over the barrier to stand on broken pieces of concrete and rebar.
He was the type of person, who when he called you to write a story about this or that, you responded immediately, knowing it would be a good story, provide color for the community, and more importantly, it would benefit others.
Longport Beach Patrol Chief Tom Kresz called Farrell and "amazing" person who was a "friend to all."
"Doc was a great supporter of the Beach Patrol and would often stop by headquarters just to chat or see if we needed anything," Kresz said. "We not only lost a great supporter, but a good friend."
Kresz said the Beach Patrol will hold a memorial service for Farrell on the beach next summer.
"We want to get it organized before Memorials Day, so everyone can be there to remember Doc."
Longport Mayor Nicholas Russo said Farrell will be greatly missed.
Especially in a small community like Longport where people will remember him for his long walks on the street with his wife and for singing the Star Spangled Banner' at the American Mile on the 4th of July every year, Russo said. He was a fixture here in Longport and his sense of community pride was unmatched.
Doug Farrell sings the national anthem during Margate's 9/11 Memorial Service.
Margate Fire Chief Dan Adams became fast friends with Farrell in 1985 when the two were riding the waves in a surfboat and Farrell suggested that Adams would someday marry his girlfriend, Susie.
Lo and behold we were married in 1993, and Doug and Kate attended our wedding, Adams said.
Adams called Farrell generous and kind and said he always held family, friends and his community in high regard, volunteering his time at every opportunity.
When Doug passed away, we all lost a little piece of our heart, as that is the direct impact that he has had on each and every life that he touched, Adams said. He will always be remembered as our Beach Doctor,' and he will live on in all of us until we meet again.
So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye
I leave and heave a sigh and say "Goodbye," goodbye.
OBITUARY
Doug Farrell, age 72, on September 29, 2023, passed away peacefully, after an inspiring journey with multiple myeloma, for many, many years.
He was surrounded by his devoted wife, Kate (nee O'Hagan); his loving children, Andy (Maureen), Bridget (Steve), and Michael; and his adoring grandchildren, Jack and Maggie Farrell, and Doug and Bridget Mead. He is also survived by his brother Larry (Donna) Farrell, sister Susan Young, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Doug arrived in Philadelphia in 1977 at St. Mary Hospital in Fishtown, where he met his future bride. He went on to establish his podiatric practice in Delaware County- offering his healing hands and positive personality to so many. Doug was rooted in multiple communities, raising his family in Overbrook Farms and Longport, NJ, and participating in his children's lives at Waldron Mercy Academy and St. Joe's Prep.
His unexpected early retirement in 2006 allowed Doug a second act. He perfected his Irish tenor voice, singing at many Irish parties and performing the national anthem on Hawk Hill. He honed his underwater photography by traveling often to St. John, USVI, and practiced his pottery skills, creating beautiful works of art. Further, he was a dedicated friend to the Longport lifeguards and was faithful to his love of daily ocean swimming.
Inspired by his passions, Doug also published two children's books. He raised over one hundred thousand dollars for blood cancer research and, in 2019, was honored with the Resilience Award by the International Myeloma Foundation.
Doug loved to perform and, with the help of dear friends, introduced the Crosswalk Musical to Longport, NJ, performing as Mary Poppins, Maria Von Trapp, and the Beast.
The most important thing Doug knew was that relationships matter. And no relationship mattered more to Doug than what he built with his four precious grandchildren. Whether supporting them in their sports and activities or accompanying them on Disney trips, he shared his incredible childlike wonder with them and always led with his heart.
Family and friends will be received 8:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. on Friday, October 6, until his Funeral Mass at 11:00 A.M. in Old St. Joseph's Church, 321 Willings Alley, Philadelphia, 19106.
Contributions in his name can be made to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society of Eastern PA - Delaware, P.O. Box 22467, New York, NY 10087-2467, or on-line at www.lls.org/donate.
Arrangements by O'Leary Funeral Home, www.olearyfuneral .com.
https://www.downbeach.com/2023/07/24/resident-asks-commissioners-to-clean-up-longport-point-dune-area/
https://www.downbeach.com/2023/07/20/snorkeling-in-the-virgin-islands-provides-inspiration-for-longport-childrens-book-author/
https://www.downbeach.com/2023/07/01/longport-takes-a-spoonful-of-sugar-to-go-fly-a-kite-on-busy-holiday-weekend/
https://www.downbeach.com/2022/07/02/longport-pop-up-musical-theater-invites-visitors-to-be-our-guest/
https://www.downbeach.com/2021/10/21/resident-notices-how-longport-point-is-all-aflutter/
https://www.downbeach.com/2021/08/05/longport-capt-turner-swim-to-make-a-splash-for-victims-of-blood-cancers/
https://www.downbeach.com/2020/08/22/the-sound-of-music-was-alive-in-longport/
https://www.downbeach.com/2019/04/29/longport-resident-pens-childrens-book-on-nature-diversity-and-acceptance/
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