John W. Farrelly, of Isle of Palms, died Saturday April 5, 2025. His laugh and love for teaching will be missed by everyone who knew him. Originally from England he found a new home in Charleston, South Carolina. John received his undergraduate degree in Music Education from Charleston Southern University and his Master of Education Administration from The Citadel.
Mr. Farrelly, as his student knew him, was always ready to help everyone be the most they could be. He worked as a music teacher for CCSD. But he also was a tennis player and coach.
He passed on his love of music and tennis to children at Matilda Dunston Elementary, Lambs Elementary, and Haut Gap Middle School. His favorite word was “YET”. When someone was frustrated because they could not sing a note or hit a forehand, he ended their sentence with the word yet.
John won numerous awards, including Teacher of the Year at Lambs and Dunston. In 2019 he won the award from USTA Southern Section for Diversity, Outreach and Inclusion for his work teaching tennis in his schools.
John loved being part of Lowcountry Youth Tennis Association ( LYTA). LYTA has created a scholarship fund in John’s name.
To help continue John Farrelly’s legacy donations can be made through the John W Farrelly Scholarship fund on the Lowcountry Youth Tennis Association website