John Farrell, a brilliant writer and scholar who revered great literature, art, music, nature, and the wonders of the world, died at 81 on October 5, 2024. As someone who valued words and the economy of language, he would eschew too many adjectives. But in truth, John was brave, adventurous, restless, generous, heroic, sentimental, witty, intellectually curious, peripatetic, occasionally cantankerous, hard-working, stubborn, exuberant, and always kind-hearted. He had an infectious smile, sparkling blue eyes, and a vitality that lit up every room he entered. John and his wife Anne had lived in Del Mar, a place they cherished, since 1986, where they each were involved in the community. Most recently, John served four years on the Planning Commission. As many of his Del Mar friends knew, he was an aficionado of martinis – always straight up and very, very dry. He was often called upon to craft his specialty, the “Vesper,” made famous by James Bond. 

John was born in Michigan, where his father was a Professor of Spanish at the University of Detroit. He instilled in John a deep love for Latin America, and John was fluently bilingual from a young age. He received a rigorous Catholic education, then went to the University of Michigan (becoming a lifelong Wolverines football fan) and received a B.A. in English Literature. Later – much later – he returned to academic life and received two master’s degrees and a doctorate in History from UCLA – the latter when he was 72. His dissertation, Southern Exposure: Latin Americans View The United States (1783-1900), tackled an enormous subject that allowed him to do original research in Argentina (as a Fulbright Scholar), Chile, Brazil, Cuba, and Mexico. 

As a young man in 1968, the world beckoned. He thought he might have a political future but first wanted to experience life beyond Michigan. In part inspired by the 1952 motorcycle adventures of Che Guevara, John bought a BMW motorcycle and with his first wife mapped out an audacious overland trip around the world. As was more possible then, they traveled on a tiny budget, funded in part by articles written for newspapers. The three-year record-breaking trip took them through Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Central Asia. It was exhausting and difficult in an era of no computers, few telephones, and primitive roads in much of the world. But it also laid the groundwork for the rest of his life, exploring, connecting with people, and always open to big, progressive ideas. 

During the motorcycle trip and afterwards, John had an intense curiosity about the roads less – or never – traveled, a curiosity that took him to 46 countries: Afghanistan, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dahomey (Benin), Ecuador, El Salvador, England, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Scotland, Senegal, Spain, Tanzania, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay, Venezuela, and the former Yugoslavia. He wore his adventurer’s badge proudly.

Beginning in 1972, California became John’s home and remained so the rest of his life. He met his wife Anne in 1973, and lived in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and ultimately Del Mar. They shared a special love for Florence – home to the Renaissance and emblematic of all that John valued: intellect, beauty, art, literature, and architecture not to mention fine foods, wine, and a beautiful landscape. 

John was a gifted writer, although his career never took a predictable path. He wrote a number of books, starting with a memoir of the motorcycle trip. He also published nonfiction works, magazine articles, museum catalogues, and wrote screenplays. Thirty years ago, he imagined a sweeping historic novel of the life of one of his heroes, Florentine architect Filippo Brunelleschi. Within the past few months, he completed that work. Other than writing, the work he most enjoyed was teaching, for which he had a great gift. He did so at UCLA, Santa Monica College, Cal State campuses (Los Angeles, Long Beach, Northridge), and San Diego community colleges. But he truly had just one preferred professional identity: writer. 

John survived an aortic dissection in 2006 and had 18 bonus years of life. But the shadow always followed him and ultimately a second aortic dissection suddenly took his life on October 5, 2024, in Washington DC, where he had been visiting his sister for a few days. Happily, though, for two weeks prior, he had been in Florence helping a dear friend to guide a tour focused on the lives of Brunelleschi, Donatello, and Michelangelo. His last few weeks of life were spent in the city he and Anne loved the most, teaching a subject that fascinated him, and walking those ancient cobblestone streets.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.” ~ Irish Proverb

John is survived by his wife, Anne Farrell, with whom he shared life and love for nearly 51 years. He leaves behind his beloved family: sisters Susan and Carla Farrell, nephew Jamie Frazier, brother-in-law Brian Bomeisler, nieces Sophie and Francesca Bahari Bomeisler, and the author Betty Edwards, Anne’s mother, who John so loved and admired. He also leaves a legion of friends and admirers, in Del Mar and around the world. On October 23, 2024, there was a Mass for John in Florence at the High Altar of the Basilica of Santa Croce, an extraordinary honor. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

For those remembering John and wanting to honor him, do this, first and foremost: VOTE on November 5^th for the honorable, ethical, honest candidates who will ensure democracy endures in our country. 

Please, no flowers. Gifts in his honor could be made to the Opera di Santa Croce/Giotto Restoration, Friends of Florence, the California State University - International Program in Florence / Scholarships, Amnesty International, the Committee to Protect Journalists, World Central Kitchen, or any charity of your choice. With your own philanthropy, spread John’s joyous, generous spirit far and wide.

Remembrance written by Anne Farrell.