Obituary
Joel H. Farber Beloved husband of the late Harriett Farber nee Benjamin. Devoted father of Beth Farber (Steve Laser) and the late Shari Farber (the late Ira) Tritt. Cherished son of the late Molly and the late Harry Farber. Joel was larger than life. Joel lived his life to the maximum. He was always smiling and greeting people. He’d go up to complete strangers and in his largest voice and biggest smile, he’d greet them and make friends with them. When we would drive him to a restaurant he’d yell out the window to other drivers and ask them about their day. Joey loved a microphone. His normal voice was loud, but with a microphone he became Joey the Entertainer. He had a voice for radio. With a mike he became very eloquent and would speak nonstop, enrapturing his audience. We used to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House to feed dinner. We’d arrive a couple hours ahead of time to cook. Joey loved to eat, but couldn’t stand to look at raw food. He would pace back and forth, waiting for his chance to announce dinner. When it was time he would take the mike and say, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a wonderful dinner for you this evening. We are serving delectable fried chicken, homemade macaroni and cheese, a wonderful salad…” He’d keep going until someone turned off the mike. When the families arrived he’d warmly welcome each one like a Walmart Greeter and share experiences with them. He loved the Skokie Park District and was a former Commissioner. We called him Skomish, for Skokie Commissioner. He truly loved people. He helped create the Festival of Cultures (FOC), which is at Oakton Park the third week of every May. He would go to every booth and meet people of diverse cultures and try to learn something about them. If he saw someone that he thought he could greet in their language he’d yell, for example, MABUHAY! He particularly loved doing this in Airports. At the FOC opening ceremonies he proudly carried the Israeli flag with his usual huge smile. The FOC always had a band and he took particular pleasure in announcing them. But it wouldn’t be a simple announcement. He’d go on for 10 minutes talking about the band, and warming the audience up with jokes. One of his favorites was, “Hey folks, I’m sorry that I was late coming out tonight. THAT’S WHAT ANDERSON COOPER SAID!”. And this one during the 2015 Presidential Debates: “Why doesn’t Melania Trump want to move into the White House? Because she’d have to move into a smaller house!” “Can I give you a weather forecast for the next two days? 92 and Sunny! Just like Betty White! OHHHH!” “A five dollar bill walks into a bar and takes a seat. The bartender looks at him and says, ‘excuse me, you cannot sit here.” The five dollar bill asks why and the bartender responds, “This is a singles bar!” In the early 70’s his daughter Shari had trouble moving. Joey and his wife, Harriett, took Shari to over 70 doctors trying to get a diagnosis. They finally met a doctor in the Bronx who knew what her affliction was. It was Dystonia. Joey and Harriett asked the doctor if there was a support group or foundation where they could learn more. The doctor told them there was no organization. He handed them notecards with the names of all the afflicted and they then created the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF). Today this organization supports the afflicted worldwide and is working to find a cure. Joey’s lifelong mission was to get Shari a pill to cure her and everyone else. Marco Island, Florida was his second home for 40 years. He bought a timeshare at the Charter Club in 1982 and became a Board Member and served for many years. He loved the warm gulf waters, the inviting pool, and the entertainment. Jeanie, the proprietor of Kay’s on the Beach would put on a fashion show once per week and ask for volunteers. Joey would always put on a dress and strut his stuff. He loved the attention. He would always try to get the mic from Jeanie and take over the announcing. On Tuesdays he’d be the announcer for the ice cream social by the pool. Joey was never short of words. If you were his friend, and everyone was, you’d get an extra scoop. He loved to walk on the beach. On particularly beautiful days he’d exclaim, “This is a five shell day!” He loved Skokie. He lived in his home on Enfield for almost 50 years. But he loved the commotion of the city. Whenever we’d drop him off at home when it was dark, he’d tell us, “it’s too quiet.” Then he’d yell at the top of his lungs, “SHOTS FIRED”, and laugh! To the end he remained his true self. While in hospice the nurses would ask him if he was comfortable. He’d reply, “I make a living. “Service Thursday 10AM at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd., (at Niles Center Road) Skokie. Interment Westlawn. In lieu of flowers, contributions to The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation One East Wacker #1730, Chicago, IL 60601 www.dystonia-foundation.org would be appreciated. To attend the funeral livestream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals- Skokie Chapel 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com
Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals. www.chicagojewishfunerals.com