Help Hope rebuild her life

Please help in supporting Hope Allen as she takes steps towards the next chapter of life after the tragic loss of her life partner, Matthew Farley. Whether you knew Matt personally or professionally, he was known by all as a fun, carefree spirit and a passionate individual who gave much to many.

In 2017, Matt was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma and went into remission. A year later, the cancer returned, spreading to his lymph nodes and adrenal glands, then progressed to his lungs, brain and bones. He passed peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours October 27th with Hope and his 2 dogs, Ranger and Charlie by his side.

Matt’s greatest passion was his business, he started in the coffee industry back in the late 1980s when he toured with the Grateful Dead, providing Jerry and the band their much needed coffee. He then started North Coast Coffee in 1994 where he became Santa Cruz’s first organic coffee roaster. He continued to grow the business to become Liberty-Bar Café Services, pouring his heart and soul into it and always putting the customer first. Matt’s enthusiasm for the business led him to train at factories such as La Marzocco, Rancillo and Iberital in Florence, Italy and Barcelona, Spain where he developed long lasting relationships with the founding families. He even helped Clint Eastwood, at his restaurant in Carmel, back in the 1990’s. Overall, Matt’s uplifting passion for the craft and vast knowledge of the coffee industry are attributed to a full life and successful business for him, and the success of many cafes and restaurants all around the Bay Area. Matt was always highly dedicated to his business and, despite the cancer, continued to work to the point of becoming physically unable.

With all of Matt’s success and then illness, came much sacrifice from Hope to support and care for him. It is with great sadness that she humbly asks for anything you can give to support her in re-establishing her life without him.