Stephen James Farley

Never one to suffer from tridecaphobia, Steve Farley, aka the Silver Fox, Baba, Pops, Pappy, Papa, (he really had a lot of nicknames) died on Friday the 13th, 2021 and has begun an eternal and ethereal tour of the universe.

Stephen James Farley was born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey on May 15, 1947, the youngest son of Joseph and Alice Farley. Steve was deeply patriotic his whole life, he could even tear up at the National Anthem (much to the embarrassment of his kids in their youth), and always looked for the best in our nation. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1965 and served during Vietnam; this experience became defining to his identity across his entire life. (“I went to UVN, the University of Vietnam.”)

The world is a better place because a certain Bev Darling approached Steve in a bar--he looked good in a uniform--and that conversation lasted for fifty-three years. Steve is survived by his indestructible sister Mary; his wife, Bev; and their four children Steve, Sean, Kyle, Kerry. And of course Scott. Two of his sons “married up” to amazing women, Julia and Veronica, who Steve loved like his own children, maybe a bit more. There are six pretty cool grandkids as well.

Upon leaving the Air Force, Steve spent 40 years working in computer hardware & software technical & sales roles. He would often qualify for incentive trips, and in 1984 he took the whole family on one to Hawai’i, fulfilling a promise to his children that should he return there, they would come too.

He had a deep interest in other languages, studied Hebrew to better understand God, was remarkably ticklish, could muster a fine Irish accent though he couldn’t finish telling any Irish joke cause he laughed too hard (“so I pushed it back in”), made the world’s greatest pesto and hummus, and didn’t like strangers in his attic. He was very adept at rescuing birds, coached kids soccer teams with little-to-no experience, was not a dancer but loved music (worship and Irish topped the list), had a pretty epic album collection, and loved Tolkien more than most. He never quite understood the impact he was having on loved ones, but appreciated it when we told him, and his last birthday was a joyful celebration of his life--a car parade that devolved into (COVID-safe) singing and dancing (neighbors were a bit confused but then joined in).

Along with Bev, he had a passion for investing in youth--running Project Children to bring Catholic and Protestant children from The Troubles in Northern Ireland together in the U.S. for the summer, leading Youth Group at Good Sam, or co-hosting Christmas Eve parties and squeezing a hundred young people into a small home till way too late. He was pretty conservative yet worked to be open-minded; strict yet somehow the Cool Dad. He led an impressive search of denominations and parishes to find a community of believers that most resonated with his faith--Covenant Fellowship--where he worshipped for 25 years. With Bev he found a later-in-life love of travel. The most memorable trip was to Kenya, because, for Steve, journeys are all about relationships and this trip cultivated lifelong friendships. It is a testament to Steve that so many call him father in such an array of languages (and no, his first four kids are not jealous). And in the end, he was a man of God. The most humble and selfless person anyone of us have ever known.

Visitation:

August 20 - 7 to 9 PM

Alleva Funeral Home, Inc.

1724 E Lancaster Ave, Paoli, PA 19301

(610) 644-3540

Post visitation:

August 20 - 9 PM

TJ's Restaurant and Drinkery

35 Paoli Plaza, Paoli, PA 19301

(610) 725-0100

Funeral:

August 21 - 2 PM

Covenant Fellowship Church

1 Fellowship Dr, Glen Mills, PA 19342

(610) 361-0606

Reception immediately following:

Desmond Hotel Malvern, a DoubleTree by Hilton

1 Liberty Blvd, Malvern, PA 19355

(610) 296-9800

Room block at Desmond under code FAR

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Covenant Mercies.

https://covenantmercies.org/donate/

Group Code: FAR

Reservation Link: Desmond Hotel Reservation Link (www.desmondgv.com)

In-House Reservations: 610-296-9800 / 800-575-1776 (Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm) | [email protected]

Hilton Central Reservations: 1-855-610-TREE (7 days, 24 hours)*

*Guests may book through Hilton’s Central Reservations but we recommend booking direct through the hotel’s In-house Reservations (Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm) since our onsite agents are better equipped to answer property specific questions and requests.

~The link will open up to our website where on the left hand side you will see the “Make a Reservation box”

~Enter dates of stay and number of rooms needed.

~Then click on Special Rate Box & enter group code FAR

~Click the Check Rooms and Rates button. The group rate will populate and appear as an option.

~It is recommended that guests use the group code when making reservations in order to receive the group