Longtime Valley Stream coach honored at dinner

A Valley Stream resident with deep ties to the village’s vibrant recreational sports community was honored for his years of service and participation on March 11 at a St. Patrick’s Day Dinner-Dance at the Valley Stream American Legion Post.

Edward Farrell coached children and adults in basketball at Arthur J. Hendrickson Park, was an avid player in the Claude Charles Adult Softball League, coached at Lawrence High School and taught gym at Molloy College.

Farrell and his wife, Sue, raised their three daughters, Beth, Kim and Tricia, on Fir Street. The girls attended Clear Stream Avenue School and graduated from Central High School.

Farrell’s coaching career lasted 31 years. It included the free basketball program he started and ran at Hendrickson Park.

“He ran this program for many years for any kid and every kid who wanted to show up,” said Sharon Daly, the dinner’s chair. “You can be sure that the kids that spent time at the park with this coach learned a lot about basketball, but also much more about life.”

Daly commended Farrell for his “giant personality and his keen sense of compassion.” She listed a few of his favorite quotes, including, “It is nice to be important, but more important to be nice.”