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WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – Former South Florida talk show host Dick Farrel, known and loved by fans for his exaggerated right-wing opinions, has died as a result of COVID-19.
On Facebook, Farrel spoke out against the coronavirus vaccine and was skeptical of Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, and his recommendations on the coronavirus. Friends said he changed his mind after contracting the virus.
“COVID took one of my best friends with it! RIP Dick Farrel. He’s the reason I made the syringe. He told me this virus was no joke and said, “I wish I had it!” Farrel’s close friend Amy Leigh Hair said on her Facebook page. She told WPTV, “I was one of those like him, I don’t trust the vaccine. I trusted my immune system. I was just more afraid of getting COVID-19 than of possible side effects of the vaccine. I’m glad I got the vaccine. “
Former Market General Manager of CBS Radio West Palm Beach, Lee Strasser, recalled Farrel, whom he hired in the 1990s. “Dick was flamboyant, outrageous at times, and ready to take on anyone and everyone. He loved interacting with local politicians and didn’t hit him, ”he said. “Was he right all the time? No … But he was” RIGHT “all the time, especially when asked. Did he stay out of anger? Not always. Was he great with clients? Yes. Was he a pleasure in the building? Absolutely. Was he loyal? Undoubtedly! Was he skillful? Yessir! His death is a great loss. He was a kind hearted person with a lot of passion, and his memory will stand the test of time. We all have a friend in Farrel lost.”
Radio veteran and lifelong friend George Kalman said, “We became such close friends that he kept asking me for advice when applying for a job or anything radio-related. I was like a big brother to him [WPTV NewsChannel 5] on the phone, I owned WFLN AM in Arcadia and WJUP FM in Jupiter. He did the morning show on WJUP and I did the afternoon show. At WFLN, Farrel was the production manager. After I retired in 2016 and sold my stations, Farrel went as an anchor for Newsmax and did voice-over. Before I went to New York City [this] May he came to my house in Jupiter for a barbecue and was fine. [The] The problem is that COVID got him. As you can imagine, I am very dismayed by his death and will miss him very much. ”
“Dick was a pioneer of ‘Shock Talk’ moderation, certainly here in South Florida, and for decades a loyal friend both in person and to the audience here,” said Mick McCabe Creative Director of Hubbard South Florida.
Former radio personality of 98.7 The Gater, Taylor Morgan, said, “Even though we were politically polar opposites, we were still friends. We go back more than 20 years. Dick was a huge fan of my father, Jerry Williams, a 50 year old. ” [Boston] Veteran of broadcasting. That made us friends. He was always very nice to me and always had a great story to tell. That makes me so sad.”
Those closest to Farrel say his fighting spirit was there to the end.
“… He fought like a tiger. Please do not be afraid to get attention to this disease. Yes, for some it has minimal effects, but for others it is fatal. We will always love Dick Farrel, always appreciate his spirit and I miss him very much. He was known as the other Rush Limbaugh. It is with a heavy heart that I can only say that this was so unexpected. He will be missed, “his life partner Kit Farley said on Facebook.
Jay Zegar, officially from 98.7 The Gater, said, “I worked with Dick when I got on the radio and learned so many things from him. I wasn’t interested in politics, but being a part of his show every week was very interesting. Once there came a situation where he was doing me a favor that changed my career. We weren’t friends and he really didn’t have to, but it showed his compassion among the gruff radio personality. I have never forgotten that and have always been grateful to him for it. “
Dick Farrel’s obituary by George Kalman:
Farrel Austin Levitt was known to his many friends and family when Dick Farrel died at 3:30 p.m. on August 4th. Farrel was born on August 1, 1956 to Max and Norma Levitt in Queens, New York, where he grew up. He graduated from Queens College and began a lucrative radio career. Using his deep voice, Farrel worked on stations on Long Island before getting a morning job at WVIP FM Westchester, NY WJNO West Palm Beach. Farrel later worked on a number of well-known radio stations in Florida, including WIOD in Miami, WPBR in Palm Beach, WJUP FM in Jupiter, WFLN in Arcadia. Farrel also served as a presenter on Newsmax TV and was the voice of many of the commercials he made for clients and advertising agencies. He is survived by his longtime partner and the love of his life, Kitty Farley. Farrel will be very missed by all who knew and loved him.
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