In Memorium - Dan Farrell - Antiques Roadshow - Summer 2021

I met Dan Farrell in the summer of 1996 at my first appearance on Antiques Roadshow in San Antonio. At that point most of us didn’t have a clue what made Roadshow work or for that matter what we were doing.. or supposed to do. We all muddled through gradual getting the hang of standing in front of a camera and most of all appreciating the team work that made the show possible. The amazing effort of the crew and staff under Aida Moreno’s leadership turned the show into a big hit for PBS. It should always be remembered that without Dan Farrell who held the rights to the British born series none of this could have happened without his participation with the great team of Aida Moreno and the leadership of Peter McGhee. Our current Executive Producer, Marsha Bemko was close to Dan and Mary and graciously allowed me to share her email to the crew, staff, and appraisers announcing Dan’s passing. Dan worked with three Executive Producers and became close friends with many of us that worked on Roadshow. He will be greatly missed on and off the set.

Antiques Roadshow’s Executive Producer Marsha Bemko shared the news with the Roadshow family

Dear Roadshow Family,

 I’m sorry to have to share with you that our ROADSHOW colleague and dear friend Dan Farrell died last night. I heard from his wife Mary who told me he “passed away at 6pm on the dot. End of the workday.”

 We will miss our Danny. I loved him, and I know many of you did too. Is so very sad.

 Dan was a brave and adventurous man. Right up till the end he chose to be an explorer. He was also a gentle, empathetic person which is why each of us felt special in his orbit. And what an orbit it was, our Danny knew where to eat, drink and sleep and overall, made the world around him a better place. He died too soon, is heartbreaking. 

 Mary will be having a service in NYC, she’s not sure when yet. In the meantime, prayers for Dan as we bid him farewell. 

 In solidarity,
MB

Daniel Farrell, who brought Antiques Roadshow to America, died August 16, 2021 at Mass General Hospital in Boston. He was 74 years old. The cause of death was liver cancer caused by hereditary hemochromatosis.

Mr. Farrell conceived the idea after seeing the television program on the BBC and believed it would be widely popular for an American audience. The PBS television show is now in its 26th season. The show's sweet spot is offering viewers the opportunity to watch ordinary people discover that family treasures or items they bought in garage sales are actually of tremendous value as antiques.

After WGBH purchased the rights for the show from Mr. Farrell, he sought out expert appraisers from across the country to appear on the program and worked on the set as Consulting Producer for 25 seasons. During the years 1985 and 1994 Mr. Farrell served as Police Commissioner for the City of Westfield, Massachusetts.

Born in Seneca Falls, New York, Mr. Farrell grew up in Westfield, Massachusetts, where he attended St. Mary's Catholic School, played ice hockey and participated in the Springfield-based television show "School's Match Wits."

After attending Notre Dame, the Chicago Business School, and the London School of Economics, Mr. Farrell worked in banking for the film industry in the US and London. Later he embarked on a publishing career partnering with the owner of Antiques Collectors' Club to distribute the titles in the US. He later acquired the imprint for Hudson Hills with partner Kevin Doyle. For the past two decades Mr. Farrell worked as a consultant to insurance companies providing art appraisal services on insurance claims.

Mr. Farrell is survived by wife, Mary A. Nelen, of Old Chatham NY, daughter Kate Farrell, son-in-law Jonathan Fraser, and grandson James Fraser of Brooklyn New York, daughter Sarah Farrell and her partner, Skot McDaniel of Novato California. His third daughter April Beattie Farrell predeceased him. His surviving siblings include Tim Farrell of Simi Valley, California, Tom Farrell and his wife Debbie Moulton of Westfield Massachusetts, and Kate Sandvos and her husband Scott Sandvos of Walpole, Massachusetts.

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Published by The Berkshire Eagle on Aug. 21, 2021.