James Duncan Farley

James Duncan Farley died peacefully at home in Hobe Sound, Florida on June 17, 2015 after a progressive decline in health. Mr. Farley was born on June 24, 1926 to Alice Duncan Farley and Donald Stephen Farley in Chicago, Illinois. The eldest of six children, he was raised in Madison, Wisconsin where he graduated from Blessed Sacrament Elementary School and Edgewood High School. At Edgewood, he was a varsity athlete in Football and Basketball, dabbled in theater, and stated in the yearbook that he aimed to be a Supreme Court Justice as the justices are appointed for life.

In 1944, he entered the Merchant Marine Academy. He received an Associate’s Degree and was commissioned into the United States Navy where he served in World War II and the Korean War as a Naval Navigator. He graduated from Georgetown University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service. At Georgetown, he initially received a scholarship to play football which was discontinued, much to his relief. He was a member of the Golf Team at Georgetown igniting a life-long passion for golf.

In 1950, Mr. Farley was hired as a trainee at the First National City Bank in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He spent 15 years in Argentina rising to the level of Branch Manager and Country Head. The bulk of his 40 year career at Citibank was spent in New York City where he retired in 1991, as a Vice Chairman. During his career, he was involved with the Mercantile Bank of Canada in Montreal, Canada, the New York State Branches, and the Merchant Bank. He was the head of Citibank corporate banking in Central and South America. He was the consummate New York City Banker in banking’s heyday.

In 1960, James Farley married Mary Kay Tracy in Grosse Pointe, Michigan who he had met at a cousin’s wedding. The Farley’s raised their four children in Greenwich, Connecticut. Mr. Farley’s civic involvement included being President of the Round Hill Club. He served as the financial advisor for the Greenwich Association for Retarded Children and the Dioceses of Bridgeport. He served as a Trustee of International House, Manhattan College, Georgetown University, and the Anderson School of Business at UCLA. He was a Knight of Malta, and served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the John A. Hartford Foundation. The association with the Hartford Foundation made him a passionate advocate for elder care. In 1976, Mr. Farley acquired a summer cottage on Harbor Point, Michigan which provided his family an anchor in the Midwest.

In 1991, Mr. Farley retired from Citibank and maintained residences in Hobe Sound, Florida, Harbor Point, Michigan and Pebble Beach, California. In 2004, he survived a pnemonectomy for metastatic melanoma. In later life, he faced a myriad of health challenges with courage and fortitude.  He remained active at the Hartford Foundation, on the Golf course and traveled the world, taking 13 cruises. In 1996, Jim and Mary Kay Farley established the Farley Fund to support their philanthropic efforts. He was a member of the Cypress Point Club, the Los Angeles Country Club, The Lyford Cay Club, the Everglades Club, the Little Harbor Club, and the Question Club. He was a founding member of the Loblolly Pines Golf Club, and a Director of the Wequetonsing Golf Club and the University Club of New York. 

He was predeceased by his wife Mary Kay Farley, a year ago, after 54 years of marriage. He is survived by his children Frances A. Farley, M.D. (Darryl J. Snabes), James D. Farley, Jr. (Cornelia Connor Farley), Kathryn T. Farley, PhD, and Andrew E. Farley. Six surviving grandchildren are Anne C. Snabes, Patrick J. Snabes, D. Stephen Snabes, Grace M. Farley, James D. Farley, III, and Lillian C. Farley. Surviving siblings are D. Stephen Farley (Georgia B. Farley), Ann F. Schemel, Barbara F. Main, and E. Phillip Farley (Chidie C. Farley) and surviving in laws are Emmet E. Tracy, Jr, (Marilyn), David S. Summers, Erma Jean Tracy, and Mary Ann Farley. He is also survived by thirty four nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Holy Childhood Church, Harbor Springs, Michigan, Georgetown University, and the Highland Cottage Hospice, Petoskey, Michigan

Funeral Mass is at Holy Childhood Catholic Church, 150 Main Street, Harbor Springs, Michigan at 11 AM, June 27, 2015. The family will greet friends at 10 AM at Holy Childhood Church. Burial will follow at the Holy Childhood Cemetery, Harbor Springs, Michigan. Funeral arrangements are through the Schiller Funeral Home.

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