Rodney (Rod) Downing Farrow, a beloved resident of Martha’s Vineyard, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Abel’s Hill home on January 23 at the age of 86. His life was a testament to his deep connection to the island, where he first arrived in the summer of 1940 and eventually made his permanent home in 1991.
Rod, born alongside his twin sister Katherine (Kit) Farrow Jorrens on March 15, 1935, in Rochester, N.Y., was the son of Edward Samuel Farrow and Ruth Wilson Farrow. His formative years included summer visits to Martha’s Vineyard, where his father worked as a chemical engineer at Eastman Kodak, and his mother, a talented photographer, captured the island’s life in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s.
A graduate of the Kent School in 1953 and Yale University in 1957, Rod married Betty Steele in 1958, and they raised three children in Rochester. His career at Eastman Kodak spanned from 1958 until his retirement. Rod was not only dedicated to his professional life but also deeply invested in preserving his mother’s legacy. He collaborated with Tom Dunlop at the Vineyard Gazette to convert her early Kodak motion picture films into a digital format, ensuring their preservation at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.
Rod was a man of diverse interests, from architecture and music to photography and cars. His devotion to family and friends was equally profound. Known for organizing 12-mile walks along the Vineyard shore, he created lasting memories and stories of adventure. Rod was a meticulous planner, embodying the motto “Measure twice, cut once.” His thoughtful contributions to the Abel’s Hill community and his family reflected this philosophy.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty, and their daughters Lee Farrow Cook, Amy Farrow Thomas, Kris Farrow Culp, along with grandchildren Christina and Katherine Cook, Kayla and Cole Thomas, and Wes and Evie Culp.
Predeceased by his siblings, Rod’s impact on Martha’s Vineyard and the lives he touched will be remembered with a memorial service at Abel’s Hill Cemetery in August 2022.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to an organization of choice. His wife and daughters extend their heartfelt gratitude to Mary Kamau and Sandie Corr-Dolby for their compassionate care during Rod’s final year.
