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Roger’s smile, personable, positive nature will be missed

Open field

 

The Valley recently lost another longtime friend, community leader and supporter, and dedicated father in Roger Farrell Sr., who, whether he was alone, or, as he usually was, with his wife and love of his life for nearly 50 years, Mary, would always brighten up the day or evening of anyone he or they met with a pleasant, positive and caring attitude.

Roger always donned a contagious smile that, when and wherever you saw him, perfectly described his take on life – living with a personable, upbeat and optimistic nature that, along with his thoughtful approach to any situation, whether challenging or not, will always be missed by not only Mary, their five children and extended family, but so many others.

My friendship with Roger (and Mary) goes back to the early 1970s, when he followed our semi-pro soccer team (at the time), Sonoma International, and helped the Valley’s Boys and Girls Club through fundraising and coaching, as well as assisting in developing youth soccer in the Valley.

Roger, a proud University of San Francisco graduate and former basketball player, brought the national-champion USF soccer team and its famous coach, Steve Negoesco, to the Valley for camps, talks and demonstrations which helped lead to the current size and success of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley and the Sonoma Valley Youth Soccer Association.

When we first met we connected, not only because I had an uncle and cousins graduate from USF, but because both of us shared an optimistic approach to sports, and life in general.

Thanks for being a bright light in the Valley and in so many of our lives.

Ciao!