William James Farrell

William James Farrell

AGE: 86 • Middletown

William James Farrell, 86, of Middletown, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014 at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, with his loving family in attendance. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on November 3, 1927, and lived in Park Slope as a child and young adult. He moved to Middletown in 1961 and lived there for 53 years until his death. Bill served in the U.S. Army in post-war Europe in the late 1940s. After his military service, Bill earned a Bachelor's degree from Manhattan College. This would prove to be the start of a distinguished academic career, as he was later awarded three master's degrees and a Ph.D. in English from St. John's University. Bill began his career in advertising with Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn in New York City. While working there, he met and married Joan Washburn Farrell, and they enjoyed 50 years of marriage until her death in 2008. In the early 1960s, Bill discovered his true calling as a teacher. His teaching career spanned more than three decades with the New York City Board of Education. After his retirement, Bill continued to pursue his passion for teaching literature by serving as an instructor for the Social Center Activities Network (SCAN) in Eatontown. Through the years, he taught numerous classes in Shakespeare and great classic works of literature, and devoted countless hours to reading and research. His retirement activities also included playing bridge and daily workouts at the gym.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Joan, and his parents, James and Ethel Farrell. He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Susan Weiss of Locust, Mark Weiss of Locust, Laura and Matthew Legrand of Sacramento CA, and Jane and David Mowbray of Royal Oak, MI. He also leaves five grandchildren, Nicole, Allison, Guy, Adele, and William.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Riverview Medical Center for their wonderful and compassionate service to Dad in the final twelve days of his life.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm on Friday, March 14 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank. A funeral Mass in honor of Bill's life will be held on Saturday, March 15 at 10:30 am at St. Mary's Chapel, 26 Leonardville Rd., Middletown, with a reception to follow. Letters of condolence may be emailed through the funeral home website at www.johnedayfuneralhome.com.