Edward Emlin Farley

Born to Edward and Elizabeth Farley, he entered the game of life on October 2nd, 1937. “Eddie” grew up in Lafayette, Indiana with his sister Shirley and brother James.

He played many positions throughout his life; Jefferson high school baseball Hall of Famer, Purdue University ROTC student and first baseman, US Navy officer, IBM executive and Northside Hospital Auxiliary volunteer, but his favorite positions by far were those of husband, father, and Papa.

He was devoted to his soulmate and the love of his life Betty, his wife of thirty-five years. Together, they created community in the town of Sandy Springs, Georgia. They were known as “Team Farley” at the Northside Atlanta Hospital Auxiliary where they founded the shuttle program and served together as volunteers for a combined fifty-nine years.

As a father, he raised his family in Barrington, Illinois and was the number one fan of his four children, Susan, Christina, Michael and Timothy and loved their spouses Ted Buzby, Bob Corley, and Alicia Farley as his own. Following his marriage to Betty in 1989, he was blessed to gain three “bonus children”, Jerry (Natalie), Jeff (Mary) and Jennifer (Patrick). His eyes lit up in the presence of his twenty grandchildren and four great grandchildren, all of whom brought their Papa incredible pride and joy.

Sports were a source of great pleasure throughout his life. Among his favorite memories were delivering Little League no-hitters, throwing the first pitch (a strike) at a Chicago Cubs game, witnessing an elusive Cubs World Series WIN, attending the Masters, making three hole-in-ones and his ultimate GOAT moment, shooting below his age in multiple rounds of golf in his eighties.

We are grateful for the extra innings he valiantly played since his pancreatic cancer diagnosis two years ago. He played through each and every day with great honor and dignity. Recently he shared a quote with us, “God is never late, rarely early, and always right on time.” With Betty at his side, his spirit peacefully departed the earth on April 4th as the Cubs won their home opening game in his honor.

His funeral mass will be celebrated on April 14th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Jude the Apostle in Sandy Springs; the service will also be live-streamed (judeatl.com). A memorial celebration will take place in the Chicago area at a later date.

In honor of his practical nature, donations to the Northside Hospital Atlanta Auxiliary Team Farley scholarship fund (give.northside.com) or the Community Assistance Center (www.ourcac.org) would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.