Donald Earl Farley

Mr. Donald Farley, 91, a resident since 1992 of Twitchell Hill, Shaftsbury, passed away peacefully on February 10th 2024 at Bennington Health and Rehabilitation in Bennington, Vermont. Born in Stoughton, MA, June 17, 1932, he was the son of the late Stewart B. and Grace D. (McNutt) Farley. His family resided in Worcester, MA for many years, where he attended public schools. At Boston University, where he received a B.S. degree in 1954 , Mr. Farley was elected a member of the Scarlet Key and Phi Delta Kappa honor societies and was elected student council president, and Man of the Year at the School of Education. In 1954, during the Korean War era, Mr. Farley enlisted in the U.S. Army and served until 1957. He attended the Army Language School in Monterey, CA and spent the remainder of his military time at Fort Devens, MA as a Russian linguist and instructor in Voice Interception. After his discharge from the Army, he attended the University of California at Berkeley, where he received an M.A. degree, and, until 1961, the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, from which he received a Bachelor of Divinity degree. After completing studies in California in 1961, Mr. Farley became director of the Protestant Association at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH after which he began a career in teaching with the New Canaan, CT Public Schools. He taught science and mathematics at several levels, was active in the National and Connecticut Education Associations, led a number of curriculum projects and served as Ombudsperson for the New Canaan faculty for several years prior to his retirement in 1992. In 1960, at the Riverside Church in New York City, he wed the former Edith Keen of Bennington, who survives after 64 years of marriage. He is also survived by a son, David, and daughter-in-law- Kim, of Niskayuna, NY. He leaves his sister-in-law Grace Farley, of Williston, VT and brother-in-law, George Keen and his wife Brenda, of Shaftsbury, VT, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Stewart B. Farley, Jr. and a sister, Susan Farley Tuchman. After retirement from teaching Edith and Don worked in the Editorial Department of NewsBank, Inc. of Chester, VT, and have spent much time travelling and in other recreational activities. Don also worked for several years as a mathematics tutor at the Tutorial Center of Bennington, was an enthusiastic swimmer, tennis player and gardener, and, with his wife, sang with the Bennington County Choral Society. At Donald’s request, there will be no calling hours. A private graveside service will be held in the spring at the convenience of the family. Charitable contributions in Mr. Farley’s memory can be made to the Tutorial Center of Bennington through the offices of the Mahar and Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St. Bennington, VT 05201.