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William J. Farnon, September 29, 1930 – November 4, 2018 William J. Farnon of Penn Wynne, PA, passed away peacefully at home with his family on November 4, 2018 at the age of 88. Bill was born on September 29, 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Margaret I. Farnon and Joseph A. Farnon. Raised in the Fairmount, Swampoodle, and Overbrook sections of Philadelphia, Bill attended Corpus Christi School, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, and St. Joseph’s University, where he majored in English. After college, he taught at Roman Catholic High School and St. Joe’s Prep, and then served in the U.S. Army for two years, stationed in the U.S. and in France. He studied at Seminary, and then received a Master’s degree in Philosophy at Villanova University. He taught Philosophy at La Salle University, and then embarked on a career with the Philadelphia School District, where he taught Latin, Ancient Greek and Spanish. He earned a Doctorate in the Philosophy of Education from Temple University, and later earned a Certificate in Library Science from Villanova University. He was an active member of the Classical Society of Philadelphia. Bill married Dr. Christa Ulrike Dettmar on June 21, 1969 and moved to Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in West Philadelphia, and then to his beloved home in Penn Wynne in 1973. Christa (Niki) had immigrated to the U.S. from Germany for medical residency training, and Bill was warmly welcomed into her family in Germany. They raised two daughters, Maria and Eileen, whom he loved dearly. He was a caring husband, father, son, brother, and friend to all of his family and friends. He was passionate about social justice and was an activist with Amnesty International, the East Timor Action Network, the Catholic Peace Fellowship at St. Malachy’s Church in Philadelphia, and Voice of the Faithful. He loved Philadelphia and took great pride in showing off his native city, “the cradle of liberty,” to visiting friends and family. Having studied camera repair in the Army, Bill was an avid photographer, and took his prized Rolleiflex camera to all important occasions to document family events. After retiring, he audited classes in Theology and Philosophy at Villanova University, and was greatly interested in St. Augustine as well as the philosophy of Jacques Derrida. He was proud of his Irish heritage and visited “the old sod” a few times with his daughters. He loved experiencing new scenery and people and welcomed every opportunity for a road trip. He loved music and fine art and shared this love with his family and friends, playing the piano, and composing a few pieces for piano and flute, which his daughters played. He enjoyed the concerts of the Philadelphia Orchestra, especially symphonies, Viennese waltzes and anything played by Vladimir Horowitz. He always had a bright and positive outlook, gave compliments and encouragement easily and generously. He had a genuine sense of humor and loved bantering and exchanging stories with friends and family. Everyone loved his company, and every new person he met quickly became a friend. His positive, humble attitude and kindness touched and inspired everyone, and helped him to get through numerous bouts with cancer and their complications with strength and grace. Bill is survived by his wife, Christa Farnon, two daughters, Maria Farnon Marino (Todd) and Eileen Farnon, his sister Helen Farnon, brother Harry Farnon (Ann), sister-in-law Renate Foerstemann (Hans), as well as nieces Margaret Farnon (Michael) and Ellen Purcell (Brian), and nephews Marc Foerstemann (Madlon) and Klaus Foerstemann (Françoise). He was predeceased by his brother, Joseph Farnon Jr., and parents, Joseph Farnon and Margaret Farnon. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am on Thursday, November 8th at Presentation B.V.M. Church, 240 Haverford Rd., where you are invited to call after 9:30am. The Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill’s name to Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities USA, or Amnesty International.

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William J. Farnon

September 29, 1930 - November 4, 2018