Richard (Dick) Farrell

FARRELL, Richard (Dick) – Peacefully at ARCH on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 in his 77th year. Beloved husband of 51 years to Lorraine. Loving father of Karen Mayer (Matt), Rick (Susan) and the late Cathleen Bridge. Proud grandfather of Haley and Sophie Mayer, Kayla (Lonnie L’heuruex) and Colin Farrell and Candace and Meagan Bridge. Great grandfather of Noah L’heureux, Rumour and John Gerard. Richard will be sadly missed by his mother Reta Farrell (late Frederick) and by the Donnelly and Farrell families. Brother-in-law of Ivan Carmichael (Ada), Elizabeth Weaver (Charlie), Lloyd Carmichael (Ruth) and Gwen Barry (Earl). Friends may call at Willowgrove United Church on Monday, May 6, 2013 from 11 am until time of memorial service at 1 pm. Rev. Dr. David Zub officiating. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions to ARCH or the Willowgrove Gift and Memorial Fund would be appreciated. (Arrangements entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 705-759-2522). Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com.

The following was read at the memorial service by his grandson, Colin Farrell:

My Dad told me a story once about my grandfather. He was about 16 years old playing in a Triple A baseball game at North Street field, with sometimes up to 2000 people in attendance. As my grandfather was heading for the plate, his grandfather walked over and said to him, “Hey Dickie, hit me a home run”. My grandfather stepped up to the plate, gripped the bat, dug his feet into the ground and on the first pitch, he said “it felt like time stood still and when the ball came across the plate it looked the size of a cantaloupe and I swung as hard as I could.” He smashed the ball over the fence, over Bloor Street, over a row of 2-story houses and into someone’s backyard - a homerun. How proud his grandfather must have been. The strength, determination and willpower he had amazes me. These character traits were shown through 60 more years of his life, along with these past few months as he battled harder than any person I have ever seen. That was who he was. Whether it was fighting for his life or stacking logs of firewood, he did it right and tried his hardest. He stepped up to the plate when needed and hit the ball out of the park - every single time.

During the past few months while my grandfather was still at home, I wrote him a letter to express his impact on my life. He read this several times.

“Dear Grandpa,

What would you give to golf 9 more holes? At first you would probably say, “absolutely anything”. But look a bit closer.

Throughout your life you have been an amazing son, husband, father, friend, and most importantly to me, grandfather. I go back to the tractor rides, bowls of cereal together with extra brown sugar when Grandma wasn’t looking, all the times golfing with you, my dad and I, and all the holiday visits or just hanging out. I appreciated nothing more than just sitting beside you all night listening to new stories, or the same stories I heard 100 times. Especially at the cottage when you sat back in your chair looking out at the lake and told me to always “enjoy these moments in the moment”. Words that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

So, what would you give to golf 9 more holes? The answer is you already have. You have already golfed and lived. Your kids, mother, grandchildren and your beautiful wife are all going to be okay because of you. You have succeeded. And this summer I'll be sure to go out and golf 9 holes

Love you always,

Colin"

I am so proud and honoured to call Dickie Farrell my grandfather, he has taught us all so much and I hope we all approach things in our lives the same way he did in his. No matter what it is, no matter how big or small it may seem, we must hit the ball out of the park every time just like he did. Hit a homerun just like my grandfather, Richard James Farrell. Life has an end but love does not, and we Grandpa will love you forever. Until we meet again, may you rest in peace.