Obituary of Rawle Egbert Griffith Farley

Brockport: Professor of Economics at SUNY Brockport passed away on Saturday November 6, 2010 at the age of 88. Predeceased by his son Jeremy, sisters Olivia, Enid. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years Ena, sons Anthony ( Maria), Felipe, Christopher (Sharon) and Jonathan, grandchildren Obadiah, Elisha, Sarah, Dylan, Astrid and Emma, brother George Farley in Guyana, nephew Jay Callender brothers in-law Dr. George Morris and Dr. David Morris, sisters in-law Mrs. Rosalie Markes and Mrs. Hyacinth Anglin. Dr. Farley had been a professor of economics at the State University of New York, College at Brockport since 1966. He was the founder and first chairperson of the Department of Economics at SUNY Brockport, and was named Professor Emeritus in 1995. Dr. Farley is the author of a number of seminal works that helped shape the study of the economics of the developing world, including "Planning for Development in Libya: The Exceptional Economy in the Developing World" and "The Economics of Latin America: Development Problems in Perspective." With his wife Dr. Ena Farley, a noted scholar of African American history who is also a Professor Emeritus at SUNY Brockport, Dr. Farley had four sons, Anthony, Felipe, Christopher and Jonathan, who all graduated from Harvard College, Harvard Law School or both. Born Rawle Egbert Griffith Farley in South America in Courtland Village, Berbice, Guyana, the young Farley taught elementary school and held posts with the Guyanese government before leaving the country to pursue his education. Dr. Farley earned a Teacher's Diploma, B.A., B.Sc.Econ.(Hons.),and a Ph.D. from the University of London, and went on to attend the London School of Economics and to become a member of St. Catherine's Society (now St. Catherine's College) at Oxford University. Among his many grants and prizes, he was awarded a Ford Foundation Grant. Dr. Farley taught for over a decade at the University College of the West Indies (now known as the University of the West Indies) founding and participating in academic programs across the Caribbean. In Belize, he helped institute the first Belizean UCWI campus, founded the Festival of One-Act Plays and the British Honduras National Festival of the Arts. Among his many academic and government posts, he served as a United Nations economic development and planning expert in Libya. Dr. Farley was a highly-ranked chess player, who was well known for playing and winning tournaments around the country.

There will be no prior calling hours. A funeral service will be held Saturday November 13, 2010 at 11:00 am at the Brockport Free Methodist Church, Fourth Section Rd. Interment, Lake View Cemetery. Those wishing may contribute to The Brockport Foundation, 350 New Campus Drive, The College at Brockport, Brockport, NY 14420.