A well-known - and well-loved - Nesquehoning man known for his service to the American Cancer Society Telethon and making folks smile with his music died on Saturday.

Donato Carmen Farole - better known as “Danny Farole” - was 90.

Those who knew him remembered him as a man who loved his wife and family; a veteran who was proud of his country; a dedicated volunteer who supported the American Cancer Society - and someone who became a friend within minutes of meeting.

“He was a man of pretty small stature but he towered over us all in terms of his heart and his commitment, and his love of music, and his love of his family and his love of his God,” said his longtime friend, Joe Krushinsky. “They just don’t make them that way anymore.”

Krushinsky met Farole in 1980, when the telethon was born. Through the years, Krushinsky would host and Farole would entertain.

It didn’t take long for the two volunteers to form a bond that stretched outside the bright lights of the telethon.

“He was really tremendously supportive to me when I lost my parents,” Krushinsky said, “and we talked a lot as his wife’s health became increasingly concerning. He took her death hard.”

Margaret Mary “Peggy” Farole - the love of his life - died in September 2021.

But Farole found a way to go on. Krushinsky credits it to encouragement from his family and friends.

“And it was a delight to see the way that music was one of the ways that he coped and kept himself strong,” Krushinsky added.

Krushinsky remembered a visit to Farole’s home last January. Farole proudly showed him his accordion collection and played him a few songs. As Krushinsky was leaving, Farole pointed at one of the instruments.

“He told me he wanted me to have it,” Krushinsky said.

Exactly one year later - on Thursday - he received a call from Farole.

“He said, ‘Joe. I’m not going to make it this time,’ So I went to see him. I’m just grateful that he was clear of mind. He knew what was going on. He knew what he was going to say and he was surrounded by so much family and so much love. I think we can only hope for such a wonderful final moment in life,” Krushinsky said.

Angela Marie Nardini of Lansford remembered the man some called “The Troubadour.”

“He just had such a talent, and whenever he could share it with people he did. He brought so much joy to people,” Nardini said.

Nardini recalled his passion and his love for his family and God. He was also proud of his country, having served during the Korean conflict.

“He was just an incredibly caring people person. He was strong-willed. People were drawn to him,” said Nardini, who met him as a telethon volunteer in 1985. “He always made you feel loved. I feel it was his pure gift and a legacy to anybody he would meet. You just loved him.”

Nardini, who has lent her voice to many a telethon, cherished his friendship. And minutes before she spoke to the Times News, she said, she heard borough workers outside her residence talking, laughing and singing, “Tony the Iceman.” It was a song that was part of Farole’s repertoire - and a sign, she believes, that “Danny” was still sharing his gift.

Ann Marie Calabrese met Farole when she began volunteering with the telethon in 1988.

“From the very first time I met Danny over 30 years ago, I realized instantly that his presence in any room made a monumentally positive impact. His sincere appreciation for life, love of music and his gratitude for everyone around him will forever be unparalleled. His attitude not only touched lives, it changed them,” said Calabrese, who many know as the sales manager for the WMGH/WLSH radio stations of Lansford.

Dave Freeman, who leads the telethon’s house band, recalled meeting Farole after he jumped on stage with his guitar.

The relationship the two formed was natural.

“I have come to realize that he so much reminded me of my grandfather that I kind of latched on and became friends. They were like the same dude,” Freeman said.

Farole, Freeman said, was “so full of life and so full of energy.”

“If you were in a dark room and Danny walked in, that room was immediately full of sunshine,” he said. “He was such a bright light to everybody.”

He was dedicated to raising money for cancer research, and often wore a medal given to him by his mother, who passed away from the disease.

Freeman moved to Port Richie, Florida, from Palmerton, and frequently travels to Nashville to perform or write music. He played a show at The Bluebird Café Saturday, and dedicated a song to Farole, who once told him, “Someday, when I’m not around anymore, sing a song for me.”

“I got done doing it, and before people started clapping I heard Danny’s voice in my head saying, ‘Way to go!,’” Freeman said, apologizing for the emotion in his voice as he recalled the moment.

Others remember him for his friendship and as the ultimate entertainer who never turned down a chance to share his love of music.

Farole’s obituary appeared in Tuesday’s edition of the Times News.