Daniel “Danny” Joseph Farrell II

Danny, also known as “the mayor,” “the champ,” “Danny Boy,” “Dan the Man,” “the Warrior,” and “Superman,” was born on June 8, 1993, in San Francisco, CA, to Daniel and Lori Fessenden Farrell of Kiantone, NY and Ft. Myers, FL.

Danny is survived by his parents, his brothers and sisters-in-law; Matthew and Jamie Aman, Joshua Aman, and Stephen and Jennifer Farrell; his much-adored nieces and nephew, Olivia, Penelope, Josslyn, Benjamin, and Marley. Danny was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Harold and Marion (Pepsin) Farrell of Hamburg, NY and maternal grandparents John and Dolores (Waite) Fessenden of Cassadaga, NY, and Naples, FL.

Danny, gone way too young and way too soon, could be described as many things.

Danny was determined. He began his journey against all odds with a genetic condition few survive. When Danny’s neonatal surgeon discharged him after a 7-week stay in the intensive care nursery, he explained to Danny’s family that, “you will have a great kid, but he will never be able to play sports.” As soon as he was old enough, Danny began throwing balls around with his brothers. He then participated in T-ball, youth soccer, and “little hoopers” basketball.

Daniel "Danny" Joseph Farrell II

Danny was passionate. He attended Clarke School for the Deaf in Northampton MA, graduating from 8th grade in 2010. During his time there, Danny jumped at the chance to perform on stage with his peers at Clarke School, where he could be a Greaser, a basketball player, a knight, and more! He also learned how to ice skate and played youth hockey at Amelia Park, where he also volunteered during the annual sled hockey tournament. Danny also took up golf during his years in MA, proving to be a natural. A “walking Sports Center,” Danny’s love of the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Cardinals, Tiger Woods, Frewsburg Bears, and the game of golf was immeasurable.

Danny was talented. Despite being profoundly deaf, Danny learned to both listen and speak using the auditory verbal philosophy. After seven years at Clarke School for the Deaf, Danny returned to Frewsburg Central School in New York and was resolute in his goal to graduate with the classmates he had left in second grade. In three years, Danny completed four years of high school work, played varsity hockey, and played for the varsity golf team earning many awards. He graduated from Frewsburg Central School in 2013 with a Regents diploma.

Danny was kind. He earned the nickname “mayor” during his years at Amelia Park because he spent his time off the ice getting to know as many people as he possibly could, learning about their lives, and genuinely caring about each and every person he met. After high school graduation, Danny moved to Naples, Florida and worked in the locker rooms at The Golf Club of the Everglades and The Olde Florida Golf Club, became a licensed Real Estate Agent in the Naples FL area, and volunteered with the Naples Special Olympics Golf Team. Here he carried on his “mayoral” personality, getting to know people and deeply caring about each one. Danny lit up the room with his smile, humor, and desire to excel. Anyone that knew him well felt his kindness, and that kindness will stay with them forever.

Danny was courageous. As a young boy he endured many health challenges, and he met every one with bravery and true grit. When the cruel twist of fate called Glioblastoma shook the stable ground Danny was building his life on, Danny kept fighting. He valiantly faced the first tumor and treatments, the second tumor and treatments, and a metastasis drop to the spine. He adopted the phrase “I’ve got this” as his battle cry, and was always careful not to give his family and close friends cause for concern.

Danny was loving. He showed that great love to his mom, dad, brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends by spending as much time with them as he could. Indeed, his best times were when he was surrounded by his family and friends. He kept his family and close friends at his bedside around the clock until the day his journey here ended.

Danny is a gift – a beautiful young man with a pure heart that gave so much to so many people, and as a result, he is etched into our hearts and minds forever.

Danny is beloved beyond measure, his life is best described as well lived.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Retreat, Peek and Peek resort, Clymer, NY, on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 9:30 am. Family and friends will gather at 9:30 a.m. for a time of offering support and memories, followed by Danny’s Celebration of Life at 10:30. Details are on “Danny’s Brain Tumor Journey” on Facebook. In lieu of flowers, donations in Danny’s honor may be made to the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf (https://www. agbell.org/Donate), or please help support cancer patients in financial need by making a charitable donation to the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, 5204 Paylor Lane, Sarasota, FL 34240