Retired Virginia Credit Union League President Gene Farley, who influenced every major piece of financial legislation in the Old Dominion State for more than three decades, passed away Dec. 9, the Virginia league announce Monday.

He was 82.

"Gene will always be remembered for the contributions he made to the credit union system, both here in Virginia and nationally," Virginia League President Rick Pillow said. "It's almost impossible, however, to measure the positive impact his work had on the lives of credit union members and on the success of the movement during his 40-plus-year career. He was a friend and mentor to so many of us in the credit union system. He instilled in us a real passion for the movement and for our people helping people philosophy, and that is perhaps his greatest legacy."

Farley served as the Virginia League president from 1967 until his retirement in 1999. Under his leadership, he established and launched the League Service Corporation, Virginia's own share insurance corporation, and a corporate credit union to serve the needs of the state’s credit unions.

Throughout his career, he served as a board director and on various committees for CUNA, the World Council of Credit Unions the American Association of Credit Union Leagues, the Association of Credit Union League Executives, the Credit Union Foundation and the Filene Research Institute. Farley also chaired the CUNA committee that created the League Management Institute at the University of Wisconsin in 1986.

For his years of distinguished service, Farley was honored in 2000 with the Herb Wegner Lifetime Achievement Award and upon his retirement, a new national award, the “Eugene Farley League Leadership Award” was established in conjunction with ACULE and his lifelong friend and former CUNA Mutual President/CEO, Dr. Richard M. Heins.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy Zehmer Farley, his son William Harrison Farley, two grandsons and two great grandsons.

A celebration of Farley’s Life was held Monday at the Timberlake United Methodist Church.

For those wishing to make memorial contributions, please consider the Timberlake United Methodist Church, 21649 Timberlake Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502.

Instant Insights /

In Memoriam: Retired Virginia League President Gene Farley Passes

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