The East End community is coming together to make a difference for two valued members in need.  

Michael Farrell, beloved former bartender at the Stephen Talkhouse and the Blue Parrot has Alzheimer's and cancer. His wife Sharon Losee has had to stop working to care for him. Their situation has become truly difficult and a dedicated group of friends are throwing a benefit to help them. 

Paddlers for Humanity is not hosting this event but we are honored to be able to pass all funds raised to Michael and Sharon.

Nancy Atlas and Inda Eaton, Klyph Black and others are performing, amazing food is being donated and there will be a great silent auction and raffle items. 

Suggested donation is $25. Donations are tax deductible.

Donate online now, or mail a check to Paddlers for Humanity, PO Box 2555, East Hampton, NY 11937 (please write Michael Farrell + Sharon Losee in the memo line), or donate at the door.  At the door, you can submit check, cash or by credit card.  

Volunteers welcome - please email lynnblue@optonline.net

Thank you!  

Learn more about Michael and Sharon:

Michael Farrell was born in Garden City on April 9, 1940 and moved to East Hampton in 1968. He worked as a bartender, eventually becoming an institution at Stephen Talkhouse. He also worked at the Blue Parrot for a number of years and bartended at many private parties.

Sharon Losee was born in Babylon, the date is no one’s business. She became a garden designer working on Fire Island, Westhampton Beach and Remsenberg. Her dream was to work and live in East Hampton, and she moved here in 1990. She managed Whitmore’s garden shop and had private garden design clients.

Sharon and Michael had been living together for 5 years before they married in 2006—in part because Sharon recognized something was wrong with Michael. The doctors wouldn’t deal with her if she wasn’t his legal wife.

Michael was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2008.

In January 2012 he was diagnosed with cancer of throat and was treated only with radiation because chemo was too strong for him. The stress considerably worsened his Alzheimer’s symptoms. Sharon developed severe asthma and a recurring case of Lyme Disease returned.

In spite of her illness, Sharon continued working, but Michael’s care required more and more of her time. She was increasing unable to work predictable or even acceptable hours. By 2013 Michael’s care was a fulltime job and she wasn’t able to leave him alone for more than an hour at a time. Now he cannot be alone even that much.

Even with Medicaid, Food Stamps and HEAP, there is no way for them to cover their mortgage, pay down their medical debt or cope with crises, like the rise in natural gas prices this winter. Their 1996 Honda Civic is barely functioning and not worth fixing, even if they had the money to do that. Repairs are badly needed on their house and they have been in line for years for East Hampton Town repair assistance. They are number 63 in line for affordable housing but until then must scrape together their mortgage payment every month. 

Your support will make a tremendous difference in their lives.