Obituary for Farrell "Nick" Dooley Whiteford
Obituary written by his daughter, Kelly-
Farrell “Nick” Dooley Whiteford passed away peacefully on the morning of February 5th, 2023. He was born to his late parents, Theron “Shinner” and Orlene (Gross) Whiteford of Cardiff, MD. He is survived by the love of his life, Donna Cochran Whiteford, with whom he shared 50 years of marriage.
Born on December 10, 1942 at home in Cardiff, Nick enjoyed growing up with his four siblings (Sonya, Pete, Scott and Marcy). He graduated from North Harford High School in 1962, and in the same year was part of the school’s only State Championship Basketball Team.
After graduation, Nick moved to Ocean City, MD to become a lifeguard for the summer season before then joining the Army. In 1964, he received a Distinguished Honor Graduate Award from Fort Bragg, NC. He was stationed in Alaska, served a short time in the Dominican Republic and enjoyed his experience as paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division.
He returned to Ocean City for a second season as a lifeguard before coming back home to start his businesses. He purchased his first piece of equipment (a front-end loader) which began the long path of his entrepreneurial career. Over the next 50+ years, Nick had many notable achievements. From digging foundations to renting portable toilets to buying and selling equipment, he had dozens of employees working in over 15 states in his various business endeavors.
After his doctor suggested he slow down, he attempted to retire; but his ambition did not let him rest for long. Everyone knows how much Nick loved ice cream, and while the kids were young, they all enjoyed visits to historic Strasburg. In 2009, he purchased the Strasburg Creamery, Country Store and Village Inn, ushering in a new era of Whiteford Enterprises.
Nick’s greatest accomplishment was marrying his wife and partner, Donna Cochran, on July 8, 1972. They built a beautiful home together in Delta, PA, which they shared with their two daughters. Nick and Donna were partners in life and in business, creating many wonderful memories throughout their 50 years of marriage.
Nick was very proud of the history of Delta and Cardiff, and enjoyed sharing the accomplishments of his small hometown with anyone who would listen. Not only did he love telling stories about his life growing up in Harford County, he always had a joke on hand to share. His dance moves were even more impressive than his jokes, and he loved cutting a rug to Oldies Rock ‘n Roll. Always proud of his High School basketball Championship, Nick would often shoot hoops on the court or at home with the kids.
Nick enjoyed classic cars from the 1950s and 1960s, and over the years restored some of his favorite models. He had the distinction of owning Harley Earl’s 1963 Corvette Sting Ray, which he drove from Florida to California and back home before selling.
In addition to his wife, Nick is survived by his two daughters, Nikki Whiteford (Whiteford, MD) and Kelly Law (Boulder, CO) and her husband, Jason. He also has three wonderful grandchildren that meant the world to him - Cambria, Kendell and Hunter.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to Mason-Dixon Community Services, 4 Pendyrus St. #2, Delta, PA 17314; Fawn Grove Church of the Nazarene, 5300 Fawn Grove Road, Pylesville, MD 21132; Slate Ridge Presbyterian Church 1630 Chestnut Street, Cardiff, MD 21160.
Farrell “Nick” Dooley Whiteford passed away peacefully on the morning of February 5th, 2023. He was born to his late parents, Theron “Shinner” and Orlene (Gross) Whiteford of Cardiff, MD. He is survived by the love of his life, Donna Cochran Whiteford, with whom he shared 50 years of marriage.
Born on December 10, 1942 at home in Cardiff, Nick enjoyed growing up with his four siblings (Sonya, Pete, Scott and Marcy). He graduated from North Harford High School in 1962, and in the same year was part of the school’s only State Championship Basketball Team.
After graduation, Nick moved to Ocean City, MD to become a lifeguard for the summer season before then joining the Army. In 1964, he received a Distinguished Honor Graduate Award from Fort Bragg, NC. He was stationed in Alaska, served a short time in the Dominican Republic and enjoyed his experience as paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division.
He returned to Ocean City for a second season as a lifeguard before coming back home to start his businesses. He purchased his first piece of equipment (a front-end loader) which began the long path of his entrepreneurial career. Over the next 50+ years, Nick had many notable achievements. From digging foundations to renting portable toilets to buying and selling equipment, he had dozens of employees working in over 15 states in his various business endeavors.
After his doctor suggested he slow down, he attempted to retire; but his ambition did not let him rest for long. Everyone knows how much Nick loved ice cream, and while the kids were young, they all enjoyed visits to historic Strasburg. In 2009, he purchased the Strasburg Creamery, Country Store and Village Inn, ushering in a new era of Whiteford Enterprises.
Nick’s greatest accomplishment was marrying his wife and partner, Donna Cochran, on July 8, 1972. They built a beautiful home together in Delta, PA, which they shared with their two daughters. Nick and Donna were partners in life and in business, creating many wonderful memories throughout their 50 years of marriage.
Nick was very proud of the history of Delta and Cardiff, and enjoyed sharing the accomplishments of his small hometown with anyone who would listen. Not only did he love telling stories about his life growing up in Harford County, he always had a joke on hand to share. His dance moves were even more impressive than his jokes, and he loved cutting a rug to Oldies Rock ‘n Roll. Always proud of his High School basketball Championship, Nick would often shoot hoops on the court or at home with the kids.
Nick enjoyed classic cars from the 1950s and 1960s, and over the years restored some of his favorite models. He had the distinction of owning Harley Earl’s 1963 Corvette Sting Ray, which he drove from Florida to California and back home before selling.
In addition to his wife, Nick is survived by his two daughters, Nikki Whiteford (Whiteford, MD) and Kelly Law (Boulder, CO) and her husband, Jason. He also has three wonderful grandchildren that meant the world to him - Cambria, Kendell and Hunter.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to Mason-Dixon Community Services, 4 Pendyrus St. #2, Delta, PA 17314; Fawn Grove Church of the Nazarene, 5300 Fawn Grove Road, Pylesville, MD 21132; Slate Ridge Presbyterian Church 1630 Chestnut Street, Cardiff, MD 21160.