Graham Farr

My earliest memories of Graham are playing in the street as little kids. I’m not sure what attracted us to each other, but I’m pretty sure it was our inability to play football. From then on whatever happened, we were always on the same team - in the same class at school and always interested in the same activities.

As young teenagers I remember spending evenings in Graham’s back room with his big brother Stuart and Stuart’s mates - getting an education listening to their collection of Blues, Rock ‘n’ roll and all the coolest music. The price we paid was to be victims of Stuart’s cutting humour.
Music was a recurring theme.
Later when we were both at the CFE for a year we seemed to spend most of our time in the art room with music blaring - Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix, Captain Beefheart etc. etc.

Then came the Canterbury years … We both got accepted at the same art school – still joined at the hip!
We rented a flat together. This is when Graham taught me how to cook Smash Potato and Angel Delight, and the simplicity of coffee and half a packet of McVities Digestive biscuits for breakfast.

Our lives took us in different directions after Canterbury, but we would try and meet up a few times each year.
There were memorable trips to Cornwall - rescuing the kids from the rising tide at Kynance Cove; hugging stones at Men-an-Tol; seeing in the New Year with cries of ‘Shithead!’ (a card game); lots of coastal walks with reluctant kids.

Then there were family holidays in France with Graham, Liz and the kids – Graham losing his car keys in the ocean, only for them to be miraculously found the next day when our daughter Liz was snorkelling ; Graham gutting a mountain of sardines for the barbecue; hours spent chewing the fat, putting the world to rights, seeing the comedy in life all around us. Happy days.

Graham was a true friend - caring and generous, warm and funny, talented yet unassuming. He and Liz navigated these last few years together - and with great courage.

And he definitely had the best collection of hats.

With love

Frank and Angie

Ah, we shall miss you Graham! We met just over 30 years ago when we had recently moved to Falmouth and our kids were at school together. We knew on meeting both Graham and Liz that we would become friends and we had such lovely times together when we were down the road from each other in Falmouth. It seemed that we were at each other’s place every other weekend, catching up on all the latest news and gossip, talking music, politics, art, the kids’ latest exploits – and of course, plans for the allotment! We’ve missed you ever since you left Falmouth – though it was great to meet up in Barcelona when you were on your camper van travels – and so pleased we could catch up with you more recently. Graham - such a lovely man and we will miss his wit, humour, caring nature and our conversations, but we are all the better for having known him. Much love to you all, Jayne and John x

Our greatest regret about knowing Graham was that we didn’t know him long enough. We were neighbours to Liz and Graham in Clinton Crescent for years. We all shared similar politics and values so during our social get-togethers we continually put the world to right.
In 2023 we moved away from Clinton Crescent but continued to meet up with Graham and Liz at our favourite nearby cafe (Sugar Pie Honey Buns) or at our homes. Graham was so brave enduring the blight of Parkinson’s Disease and Liz was such a wonderful supportive wife.  Graham was also adored by our beautiful dog, Dora. At great risk to himself he would allow Dora to get as physically close to him as she could in order to deliver as many big wet kisses as she could. Despite everyone’s concerns Graham encouraged Dora to show how much she loved him. Sadly, Dora suddenly died just a few days after Graham. The world lost two wonderful friends. It would be nice to think that they were both together now.
Claire and Tony Hill

Graham was such a big part of my childhood. I spent so much time at the Farr household growing up, whether it was calling round before school or spending almost every afternoon there and weekends with pillow fights. and he was always there with a smile and a joke.

He had the driest, cleverest sense of humour, and I think so much of my own sense of humour today comes from growing up around him and the brothers. He had a way of making everyone feel welcome in his own unique way and always made me laugh.
Although I hadn't seen Graham as much in recent years, my mum and dad always kept me up to date with how he was doing, so it never really felt like we'd lost touch. I think I always warmed to him because he reminded me so much of my own dad, they shared the same gentle nature, quick wit and quiet kindness.
I'll always be grateful to have grown up with Graham being such a big part of my life. I'll miss him dearly.
Rest in peace, Graham and lots of love to the whole Farr family X

Graham my uncle, my mothers brother , I am uncertain if I ever let him know how influential he along with his brothers and Liz where to me in my formative years.
Myself as a teenage tear away, helped me embrace art , culture, music and a world that has resonated with me to this day. I thank you and remember you for your introduction to a life in creativity and a bigger picture.
Thank you

Andrew

I was very fortunate to grow up just round the corner from the Farrs in sunny Cornwall, where I spent a lot of my time in their home. There was often humour at the dinner table that extended to Graham one evening landing a melon sticker on my forehead. I remember him laughing as Lizz tried to peel it off whilst I had my head in the sink. He always made me feel welcome and part of an extended family that I'll always cherish.

Love Ben

Graham was my godfather and though growing up we all felt like extended family, I was always a so proud to have this connection to such a special friend of my parents.
Trips to Cornwall and holidays in France with Graham, Liz and the kids are some of my happiest memories from childhood. Days filled with fun, creativity and silliness: burying each other in the sand (employing the particularly creative use of discarded beer bottles and cigarette buts), staging elaborate group photographs, sketching on beaches, painting on campsites, barbecuing sardines… And the endless coastal walks punctuated by the old adage:
What time is it? Now.
Where are we? Here.

Well, here we are. Goodbye Graham. Thank you for the generosity, kindness and inspiration you shared with us 💚

My memory of Graham is that he was always generous of spirit and smiling

Graham was a gentle presence across my entire adult life in one way or another. He was my best friend’s kind father, he was, for a time, my partner’s wonderful Dad, and latterly my son’s loving Grampy.

He moved through life with a softness that put you at ease and a twinkle in his eye that was infectious. He also showed me that occasionally a vegetarian can eat chicken by accident and laugh it off, a quality we could all do with a bit more of.

I can give him no higher praise than I see him in my son, his grandson, and for that I am enormously grateful.

Thank you, Graham, for everything.

Love, Will.

Such happy memories of you Graham & Liz sojourning in Salleles d’ Aude 🇫🇷 mes chers pois🫛🫛
Wonderful discoverer in your nature & repairer of my Gramophone !
I spin MADAMOISELLE DE PARIS bought for me from Montpellier 🩷 in your honour and may music be with you always .
Much love to you & Family
Jilly xx

We first met you, Liz and Graham at the Battle Parkinson's Cafe, Battle. Graham was struggling with his Parkinson's that day but that did not stop him. With a big smile he proceeded to tell us all about your travels
around France and the good times you had. We knew then he was an adventurous and courageous man. We shall miss him.
Ros & John xx

My abiding and treasured memory will be the stylish Graham Farr! His own, inimitable style!
Always quite uniquely turned out with a sharp and individual take on fashion, understated but standout! Regardless of the occasion. A keen eye for just the right item spied in the Oxfam shop or high street – Graham always got it just right, the ultimate Mr Cool! The ultimate fashion ‘coat hanger’. The Bespoke Man….
Headgear! Wow – Graham was rarely without a hat! A cap, Panama, Beanie –seldom resisting the purchase of yes, another. The ‘Popeye’ Doyle Pork Pie! That head carried them all!
Gemini Babies, us – 23rd May. Perhaps our astrological connections gave us the shared interest in footwear. Gratifying and refreshing to share an indulgence with a fellow ‘calceophile’ – (from the Latin ‘calceus’ meaning shoe!! Hah!!) Each purchase a justified buy, we said, not one to pass up!
Many Birthdays celebrated together, more sober affairs in later years!!
Such a talented artist in his own right, modest in his abilities and achievements, held in high esteem by his collaborators and all who utilised his talents. I value a wonderful, evocative watercolour of Deia – signed Graham Farr ’89. How fortunate am I!
A remarkable and enviable union – Liz and Graham – their lives replicated in the paths of Connie, James and Ewen, inheriting their joy in all things creative and original.
I will miss you Graham in my lifetime - 23rd May will always be for us!
Safe Journey, dear Graham. Jaynie

Graham my uncle, my mother Janet his sister. Nice memories going back to when Graham and Liz lived in Falmouth they would visit me in Devon on their way to and from Cornwall from visiting their family London way. I remember going round the charity shops and Marwood Hill Gardens in North Devon. One visit i think they were on their way to pick up the camper van ready for their retirement adventures. I enjoyed visiting St Leonards on sea and Hastings once as well, a long way. Another fond memory in Falmouth with Margaret Graham's mother on holiday. Enjoyed seeing them such easy going nice people with great sense of humour. God bless and RIP Graham and take care Liz, Connie and Ellis, Ewin and James and family Listening to the play list m Xxx

I'd met Connie a few years before Graham became one of my lecturers at Falmouth Uni. It took a few conversations to join the dots on the surname Farr - at which point he wryly admitted he'd wanted to name her Lucy. Like Lucifer. Too extreme, he decided. So settled on Conifer.

That wit said it all.

During my final crits, three lecturers picked through my portfolio - pompous, portentous, rifling through binders with the gravity of a bomb disposal unit. Graham stood at the back laughing. He got it. He got me.

His encouragement left a mark. I followed the arts and still dabble to this day. I like to think I'm not alone in owing him that that.

Top man. R.I.P.
Love to Connie and the family x

I have got a lovely .memory of a very warm September day in 2020 in Hastings on the Crazy Golf course with Graham looking his normal dapper self ,with me being my ultra win at all costs self !!.Graham in his normal laid back way taking all the challenges that Crazy Golf has to offer. it will be a memory that last for a long time ,probably to do with i pipped Graham with my last shot to win .

I first met Graham in 1971. He was my then boyfriend Stewart’s, but now late husband’s, younger art school brother. Our first conversation was over a shared love of Pop Art. And It will be his talent as an artist that I have the fondest of memories along with his quiet kindness and thoughtfulness. I have his art work, much admired by others, on my walls. He had a sense of adventure demonstrated when, upon retirement he and Liz camper-vanned around Europe.
The teasing relationship and banter that he enjoyed with Stewart remained despite distances often keeping them apart. When together it was as if no time had past at all, testament to their brotherly bond.
Wouldn’t it be nice to think that somewhere in the ether their spirits have hooked up and having fun?
Sending much love to Liz, Connie, James and Ewen. Annette Farr X

Growing up Graham was the cool and arty Dad in my eyes. Through my teens (and let's be honest into my 20s!!) I spent many a night crashing at Connie's family home. Graham was perhaps at times bemused (or maybe amused?!) and perhaps even a little irritated by our party-loving antics (!!!) but was always SO kind and SO welcoming towards me! I will always look back fondly on those years. Thank you Graham (and Liz of course!) for always making me feel so welcome - it meant a lot. ❤️

I’ve known Graham for nearly fifty years and have many happy memories. But one day whilst Liz and Tim were in the kitchen in Hastings I spent two hours with Graham playing a box of his old singles and we laughed and talked about the 60s. That afternoon was special to me and I will miss him for those special moments. RIP Graham

Good times x

The Farr Brothers

So very glad we met Graham and were able to spend some time together. Parkinson’s drove a wedge between any real communication but your warmth and kindness shone through in your lovely smile. Glad for you that you are at peace. Mary

Graham was married for many years to my Auntie Liz. I was blessed with many uncles. I had the sporty one, the comedian and Graham the cool one. Graham was the model family man, never saw anything other than a man who lived for his family and loved life. I always remember family gatherings at my grandparents house on Boxing Day as me and Liz share a birthday. Games of darts and cards plus huge amounts of drinks and food, I will cherish those family memories for ever. My thoughts are of course with Liz, Connie, James and Ewen. I remember when my ex partner was pregnant and I wanted to call him Robert after Liz’s father and I got a lovely letter from them saying they were happy for us to call him Robert. That sums Graham and Liz up. If I had a song that reminds me of Graham it would be when they lived in London and for some reason Matthew and Son comes to mind. Heaven has a new angel so fly high with the angels and thank you for the memories