Charlie Farrell, 80, of Melbourne, died September 25, 2013. He was born in Huntington, Long Island, New York. Charlie graduated from High School in Huntington, L.I., New York in June 1951. He had a knack for basketball in high school and loved the sea. He joined the Navy soon after graduation and had the opportunity to visit many ports-of-call in the U.S. and several foreign countries.
After leaving the Navy, Charlie started several businesses and although successful, decided to fall back on his Navy background and joined Grumman Aerospace Corporation to pursue a career in the aircraft electrical/electronic fields in support of many of Grumman’s military aircraft. During this time, Charlie’s work assignments required a great deal of flexibility since the work took him from the East Coast to California and back to New York. In the early 60’s Charlie was selected to join the Grumman Apollo Program responsible for the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM – later revised to LM) to be the futuristic vehicle to carry astronauts on the very first human moon landing and safely return them to Earth. Charlie was involved in all phases of the LM Program including testing, production, trouble shooting and eventually ended up at Cape Kennedy to support all the LM launch activities.
At the end of the Apollo Program, Charlie transferred back to Long Island and was assigned to the fledgling Joint Stars Program which began a progressive transfer in 1987 to a new facility located at Melbourne Airport. In that assignment, Charlie gradually received added responsibilities and retired as Manager of Manufacturing Operations in 1992. During his career at Grumman, Charlie received many awards for merit and outstanding job performance.
When Charlie relocated to Melbourne, he selected Suntree as a homestead. That was carefully decided by Charlie because of his love for golf and the Suntree Country Club was almost within walking distance from home with the best golf course in town.
He is survived by his fiancée, Diane Sewell, and his son Richard Farrell. A memorial service will be held at the Life Event Center at Florida Memorial, 5950 South U.S Highway 1, Rockledge, FL on Saturday, September 28th at 10:00 AM.
Charlie was an easy going guy who was always concerned for others before self and consequently, never in search of friends because everyone who knew him loved him and were proud to call him friend.
He will be always loved and dearly missed. God’s will be done –REST IN PEACE CHARLIE.
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