David Mark Goldfarb

David Mark Goldfarb passed away at home on March 24, 2025, at age 54, due to complications from his more than 4-year battle with a rare form of cancer.  His family was by his side throughout his last weeks, and his loving wife of 25 years, Allison, had the privilege of holding him close, with their golden retrievers by their sides, as he took his last peaceful breaths. 
 
Dave was raised in Avon, Connecticut, the son of William and Deborah Goldfarb.  He attended Avon public schools and was a math star and competitive chess player.  He loved soccer, competing in the Avon Youth league and playing on a state championship team. 
 
He graduated from Dartmouth College and dearly loved his time there, his professors, and his fellow students.  After college, he embarked on a life-long commitment to public education, teaching World History and Political Philosophy in Fairfax County Virginia, including Falls Church and Chantilly High Schools. After 13 years of teaching, he attended Harvard Graduate School of Education where he earned his master’s degree in school leadership.  Returning to Fairfax County, he served as vice principal of South Lakes High School and principal of Fairfax High School. He was a mentor, collaborator, friend, and advocate for thousands of students as well as fellow teachers and administrators. He devoted his life to helping provide a public educational experience that positively affected students’ lives.  In the final years of his career, he found great joy in developing a program to mentor aspiring teachers.  His constant goal was to equalize the outcomes of all his students and to support teachers in their ongoing growth.
 
Dave was passionate about his family. He married Allison, a fellow Dartmouth alum, and they built a life with their two children, Kate, 21, and Jonah, 20. Together they enjoyed traveling to warm tropical places and to North London to see his favorite team, Arsenal. Perhaps his most restful spot was at a favorite lake in New Hampshire, where he would paddleboard, grill and relax with his family for a few weeks every summer. Last year, he and Allison realized a dream they had shared for years when they moved back to New England, living on a farm with their dogs and horses.
 
Dave (known to many as “Goph”) was also a dear friend. He had relationships (and rivalries!) based on Premier League soccer and enjoyed playing golf where his joyful, competitive instincts would flash. Perhaps most of all, he relished the quiet moments, deep conversations, and laughter with the people he loved. Whether it was while watching a match, listening to music, or sitting at The Lost Dog Cafe, he was present and deeply engaged.  Those who called him friend knew how very blessed they were, and he will live on in their memories, inspiring and comforting long after leaving.
 
The spirit of giving to others was a large part of Dave’s life. He was a founding member of a non-profit called Hope Rising, a group of friends that brought people together to raise funds for charities in the DC area. He was also active with Learning Forward, an organization dedicated to educator professional development. In recent years, he was involved with Imerman Angels, providing mentorship and support for fellow cancer fighters.
 
Dave was authentic, deeply loyal, and equally serious and playful.  He had a dry wit and was constantly improving himself.  He worked hard at everything he did, including staying alive to see his children grow into young adulthood and to enjoy a brief, sweet, empty nest period with Allison.  He was one-of-a-kind. We are heartbroken to lose him and so grateful he was ours and we were his.
 
Besides Allison, Dave is survived by children Kate and Jonah; father Bill and stepmother Maureen; sister Paula Goldfarb Resh and brother-in-law Andy Resh; sister Laura Goldfarb and her children; beloved uncles, aunts, and cousins; and treasured friends and colleagues.  He was predeceased by his beloved mother Deborah Goldfarb.  
 
A Celebration of Life is planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Imerman Angels and Life with Cancer, two organizations that provided great comfort, support and community to him and to other courageous people living with rare cancers.

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