Obituary of Shawn Peter Farmer

Shawn Peter Farmer, of Jay, NY, passed away Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at his home following a courageous two year battle with Glioblastoma. His family and friends were at his side at the time, and have been every day since his surgery in 2010. Shawn was born on February 25, 1961 in Utica, NY, to William and Marguerite (Matera) Farmer of Old Forge. Shawn is the youngest of four sons. Shawn grew up in Old Forge, attending the Town of Webb Schools and continued his education at Paul Smith's College in Saranac Lake. Shawn and his wife Ann Ritz Murphy Farmer have resided for several years in the Lake Placid area with their children. Shawn has worked as a ski patrolman at Whiteface Mountain since 1989, and has skied more vertical in the past 23 years than most people will ski in their lifetime. Following his surgery , Shawn returned to the mountain to continue his service there with follow up by his medical providers, the support from his family, co-workers and staff at the mountain, and with the determination he carried to fight through his illness. Shawn has also worked building golf courses throughout the country with Hubbell Construction. Shawn was predeceased by his mother Marguerite and father William. He is survived by his wife Ann and their children Jamie, Sam and Jeremiah, and grandchildren Declan, Kimberlynn and Shawn, as well as his brothers Patrick, Michael and Ricky (and his wife Kelly) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to thank everyone who has supported and encouraged Shawn, not only over the last two years, for the previous fifty-plus years, and made time and love to include Shawn in their lives. There is an old saying, some attribute to American Indians, some to African tribesman, some to Celtic religions- it says a man dies two deaths, the first when his physical body no longer lives, and the second when the his name is spoken for the last time by those who know him. May you hold Shawn and the memories of Shawn close to you, and share those memories with others, so that he will continue to live beyond this day, and tomorrow. There are no Calling hours. A Celebration of Shawn's Life will be held Saturday October 6th at 1:00 PM at Whiteface Mountain Ski Center in Wilmington, NY. Pastor Bruce McCulley will officiate. The family suggests relatives and friends wishing to remember Shawn make donations in his memory to the Fitzpatrick Cancer Center, CVPH Medical Center, 75 Beekman St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901. Relatives and friends are invited to "Light a Candle" and share a memory, thought and prayer for Shawn's family at www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com . . .