The Midwest Consortium on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse extends its heartfelt condolences to Judge Farrell's family and loved ones.  The field of problem gambling is a small one, but replete with professionals of great talent and the passion to forge ahead and advocate for the prevention and treatment of this impactful disorder that has received little recognition to date.  We have just lost one of those pioneers in the field and we will always remember the trailblazing achievements that Judge Farrell made - he has inspired us to continue forward with his momentum.

Judge as I fondly called Mark was a man of integrity and class as well as a gentleman. The Judge cared for others and gave so much of himself.

I will truly miss him.

My thoughts and prayers are with Carolyn and the rest of Marks family.



I am so sorry to hear Mark had passed .My heartfelt prayers to the family. He had accomplished so much in life and we are all at a loss because he wasn't finished. He was a great friend. GOD BLESS

I got to know Mark through our service on the board of directors of the National Council on Problem Gambling.  He was one of a kind--intelligent, talented, multi-dimensional, and full of surprises.  Every time I felt like I knew all about Mark, he'd say or do something that would make me realize that I was just scratching the surface.  I cherished the time we spent together and just wish there had been more of it.  He truly left the world a better place than he found it.

Judge Farrell was the first judge in the US to have a gambling court.  He was definitely a great influence and pioneer in the establishment of Nevada's first Gambling Treatment Diversion Court of which I am the first judge to preside.  It was an honor and a privilege to meet him through my late mother, Dr. Rena M. Nora.  My sincerest condolences to his family.  He will never be forgotten for all the amazing work he did to help people with gambling disorders.  

The California Council on Problem Gambling wishes to express our deepest sympathy to the Farrell Family. Judge Farrell was a true crusader who worked diligently to help those in need. 
I had the pleasure to interact with him at National Conferences and found him to be kind and compassionate. 

While we mourn his passing we need to rejoice in the fact that we had him in our lives. 

A good and decent man. May you Rest In Peace. 

Tom Marriscolo
President California Council on Problem Gambling

It was a pleasure to meet you Mark this past June at the P’s family reunion. My time with you was limited to a short conversation that left me wanting more. You are a great man that did wonderful things for the community. I wish I had more time with you Mark and in absence of that, wish you well in your next journey. Looking forward to meeting you again in the future, up there, where we can continue our conversation. Blessings to you Mark and to your family and friends as well. 🙏

The Maryland Council on Problem Gambling extends our condolences to the family.  Thank you Judge Farrell for the legacy of  disordered gambling in the legal profession and your leadership towards the establishment of the first 2 gambling courts. Your compassionate leadership and legacy will affect gamblers and their concerned others into the future. You will be missed.

Dear Carolyn, Lara, Kristen, Melissa & families,
Sharing some memories...
Mark & John, my husband,
became friends in law school, 
Attorneys for Travelers & beyond.
When Carolyn & I were celebrating our 30th Birthdays, the guys decided to plan a “Surprise 30th” for us... each of us thinking the party was for the other!  Needless to say, “What a surprise!”
Mark was instrumental in our moving to California through Travelers & of course, we were so thrilled & excited!
As the years went on, we enjoyed our summer visits to the country club & their backyard pool!
My family feels very blessed to enjoy our relationship to all of you,
Our thoughts, prayers & blessings...
❤️Debbie Anderson & family❤️

I so very much enjoyed working with Judge Farrell on the Nat'l Council on Problem Gambling board. When he first joined the organization, reading his bio I was more than a little intimidated. What I found was a genuine and warm guy who loved to swap stories about the Kentucky Derby. We'll all miss him.

The staff for the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling are deeply saddened by the passing of the Honorable Mark Farrell.  He was a friend  & mentor to us.  Our state benefitted from his wisdom and help to develop better program services for people.  We will pray for your family as you walk through your grief.  Deepest Sympathies to you this day.  

I’m at a loss for adequate words. I had the privilege of clerking for Judge Farrell during law school. He was my boss, mentor, and friend. I always look fondly at the times we worked and socialized together. He remains a giant among the Bar. My sincerest condolences and thoughts for the entire Farrell family. 

My deepest sympathy to Carolyn and the children. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. I have known Mark for over 35 years as a brother attorney, Judge, friend and father of a wonderful family. Mark will be sorely missed in the legal community and will always be remembered for all of his contributions to our Amherst community. I consider myself very fortunate to have had a professional and personal relationship with Mark. Many fond memories of us talking about our children when we had the opportunity to get together. Mark was extremely proud of all of Carolyn's accomplishments and the success of all of his children.
Tom Casey

I am very sorry for your loss. Mark was a real judicial pioneer, establishing one of the first therapeutic drug courts in an affluent suburban community. He was also committed to education, holding court monthly in the UB Law School courtroom for Social Work and Law students. He was a stickler for education, insisting that I establish a Law School jail in the Judge’s chambers so that the students would appreciate that the process, though therapeutic, was not a game and that the consequences of violating his treatment order was serious, immediate custody. I very much appreciated working with him. Though not a sentimental man, he often spoke of his pride in his family.

Mark was a great judge and a real gentleman. His passing is a real loss to our profession. Sincere condolences to the family.

Hon. Jonah Triebwasser
President-Elect
NYS Magistrates Association
Town and Village Justice
Red Hook, New York

Jean and I wish to express our sincerest sympathies to the Farrell Family.  I remember Mark as a staunch friend of the University and great Past President of the Alumni Association.  We were sad to hear of his illness and subsequent passing.  Mark is in a much better place now and at rest.

I practiced in front of Judge Farrell for many years. He was always tough, but fair-minded. He established  the first suburban Drug Court in the United States. He was very compassionate towards the individuals in the Drug Court. The Legal Community has lost a bright star.

I was so sorry to learn of Mark's illness and passing. I am sending my love to you, Carolyn, and to your entire family. 

Mark loves you all so much. That will never change. May you all find peace until you meet again. xo

Love,
Mary Beth Spann Mank

Being a 60-year friend of Harry Shaughnessy, I got to know Judge Farrell as a no-nonsense but extremely fair judge and kind human being. He was extremely wise and just. He will be missed not only by his family but by the community as a whole. Best Wishes Always to the family.

Mark was a wonderful jurist, family man, NYSMA family and friend.  He has left big shoes to fill, but if we all could live up to his many accomplishments and be as sensitive and caring as he was, this world would be much better place.  I was lucky enough to spend a few hours on a road trip with him once and learned the true Mark Farrell, the family man... he spoke so highly of his family and was so very proud of his children and grandchildren. He reminisced of family gatherings and vacations with a twinkle in his eye... I knew then that even though he was extremely accomplished in his work life, it meant nothing when it came to his family. May you all cherish those wonderful memories made with him and keep him close to your hearts, I know I will.  

OBITUARY

Hon. Mark G. Farrell

June 27, 1947 – August 26, 2019

Dengler, Roberts, Perna Funeral Home

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