David John Charles Farquhar

February 27, 1935 – December 23, 2025

David John Charles Farquhar of Orleans, Massachusetts passed away minutes before Christmas Eve on December 23, 2025, at the age of 90. Born February 27, 1935, in Weymouth, Dorset, England, David shared his birthday with beloved twin sister, Gillian Mary.

David grew up during the Second World War in a naval town closely tied to Britain’s home fleet. His father served as Commander in the Royal Navy, and David’s early childhood unfolded against the backdrop of air raids, blackouts, and the steady courage of his mother, who kept her family safe while her husband was away on active duty. These formative years left David with a lifelong respect for service, sacrifice, and quiet heroism. He even served as a mechanic in the Royal Air Force. .

David was educated at Cheltenham Prep and Cheltenham College in the Cotswolds, where he completed his schooling through age 18. It was during these formative years that he developed interests that would deepen throughout his life: a love of photography, a deep affection for animals, and a particular passion for long-distance running.

In the late 1960s, David moved to the United States to work at the New York World’s Fair and begin his life in America. Always curious and adventurous, he traveled across the United States by bus, arriving in San Francisco where he worked various jobs that afforded him the opportunity to experience much of the state. When David returned to New York City, he put down roots and joined close friend Erard Moore, working for the advertising agency Lennen & Newell, kicking off a long career on the media side inside several global firms, eventually rising to Executive Vice President at McCann Erickson. His legacy though, was undoubtedly the family he raised with his wife and partner of 55 years, Martha Jane Coleman.

David was an accomplished ultramarathoner – running through several decades in highly-competitive races including The New York City and Boston Marathons. A treasured member of the Westchester County New York “Road Runners” club and a longtime participant and later, organizer of the famous Sybil Luddington ultramarathon in Carmel, New York, David and Martha’s closest circle was made up of the lifelong friendships forged across 60+ years in the running community.

Truly a friend to all, David was beloved in the communities in which he lived – whether as a fixture walking his many dogs over the years, photographing local wildlife (his home, a literal gallery of work – and sometimes entered into local Cape photo exhibitions), or completing various projects in the gardens and grounds, David was a fierce advocate for the environment, taking on the protection of the town’s watersheds, estuaries, ponds and lakes through participation in the Orleans Water Alliance.

David is survived by his wife, Martha; his daughters, Alexandra Farquhar Reagan (and her husband, Phil Reagan) and Gillian Jane Coleman Farquhar; his granddaughter, Erin Reagan; his twin sister, Gillian Tullis; his niece and nephew, Keil Tullis and Katherine (Tullis) Dean; his beloved dog, Luca; and extended family on both sides.

A celebration of David’s life will be planned at a later date, when family and friends can gather to remember him. He is sorely missed and was deeply loved.