John "Jack" Farrell Sr.
John "Jack" Farrell Sr.
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John Farrell Obituary
He was born in Scranton on June 4, 1933, to the late John M. and Lucille Neary Farrell. His bride is the former Alyce Kelly, and the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary June 29, 2013. Together they were blessed with five children.
He was a member of St. John Neumann Parish.
He was a graduate of South Catholic High School and attended the University of Scranton prior to serving his country in the United States Navy. Upon returning from the Navy, Jack was employed as an accountant at the former Chamberlain Corp. Jack left Chamberlain to join the Scranton Prep family in 1967 as the Head Basketball coach and so began the Farrell era for the Cavaliers – a span of over 30 years that lifted Prep to championship heights in high school athletics. In 1973 the Cavaliers won the Class A PCIAA state championship under his reign. His professional affiliations are too numerous to mention; most notable was the Election to President of the PIAA Athletic Directors Association by his peers.
Also surviving are five children, John Farrell Jr. and wife, Carla, Fort Mill, S.C.; Ann Seechock and husband, James, Scranton; Ellen Farrell, Scranton; James Farrell and wife, Brigid, Cary, N.C.; and Eileen Lyons and husband, Dr. Mark, Old Forge. Jack had a special twinkle in his eye for his nine grandchildren, Caitlin and Finnegan Farrell, Aly and Grace Seechock, Benjamin and Henry Farrell, and Sarah and Matthew Lyons. He was also preceded in death by a grandson, Jack Farrell.
His family would like to express their appreciation to the staffs of both Hospice of the Sacred Heart and Commonwealth Hospice of Regional Hospital. A special thank you to Dr. Peter Cognetti for his many years of dedicated care and friendship to coach.
The funeral will be Friday at 9:15 a.m. from the August J. Haas Funeral Home Inc., 202 Pittston Ave., with Mass at 10 a.m. in Nativity of Our Lord Church, 633 Orchard St., to be concelebrated by Msgr. Joseph Kelly and Fr. Herbert Keller, S.J. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a memorial fund in Jack's name to Scranton Preparatory School, 1000 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509. To leave an online condolence, visit www.augusthaasfuneral home.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Cheryl Walters-Cali
October 13, 2013
John, Ann, Ellen, and family, Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your beloved father. My memories of him as "Coach Farrell" are plentiful. May your own wonderful memories bring you comfort during this time of sorrow.
Mike Gleason
October 12, 2013
"Practice does not make perfect but it does make permanent. Do it again please and do it right", "Ball-You-Man", "Never give up the baseline"', " Fill the lane", "Get to the angle and find the spot"...Coaches instructions echo to this day. More importantly Coach taught me, and many others I suspect, as much about life as any other teacher at Prep. He ranks with the best.
October 11, 2013
John Carla and Farrell family, I am so sorry for you loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Karen McPhillips
Joe Pivovarnik
October 11, 2013
Please accept my most heartfelt sympathies
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Michael & Diane Mihalik
October 10, 2013
We were so very sorry to hear that Jack passed away. Our prayers are with the Farrell family. We are parishioners at Nativity Church and always seen Jack. He will be missed.
Terry Chmil
October 10, 2013
Coach Farrell once saw something in me and gave me my first real coaching job. I'll never forget that and everything I learned from him about basketball and life. Condolences to the family... Rest in Peace Coach.
Christopher Shields
October 10, 2013
Very sorry to read of Mr. Farrell's passing--all of Nativity lost a true friend. May God bless and comfort his family during this time of loss. Rest In Peace, Mr. Farrell.
Chris Dende
October 10, 2013
Our heart and prayers are with the entire Farrell family. Coach Farrell was a tremendous man whose legacy will be forever remembered through his passion for family, student athletes, and his friends who all loved and respected him dearly.. God Bless
October 10, 2013
To the entire Farrell Family
We were very sorry to hear of the passing of Jack. Please except our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you..
Paul and MARY LOU Crowley
Mechanicsburg, Pa
October 10, 2013
To "Coach's" entire family:
I was sorry to hear that he has passed away. He was a tremendous guy and a positive influence on so many of us, We had so many laughs during the practices that seemed to last forever. I can still remember his trying to teach us man-to-man team defense. The lessons we learned from him were as much about teamwork and life as they were about basketball.
John Comerford Prep '71
Jerry Hart
October 10, 2013
I first met Coach Farrell at Camp St Andrew and then went on to compete against his teams in 73 and 74. He was good coach and stand up man. Many of today's coaches would do well to imitate his character.
October 10, 2013
Jimmy, Brigid and Family,
Wishing you our heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Sincerely, Gary and Mary Ann Bewick
Joe Janinek
October 9, 2013
I was privileged to play on Coach Farrell's basketball teams in 1973/1974. He was a very good coach but most of all a mentor to each of us. I had the utmost respect for him. My thoughts are with each member of the Farrell family. A great loss for the Scranton Prep community!
Tom & Mary Jean Osborne
October 9, 2013
Mrs. Farrell & Entire Farrell Family - what can I possible say that hasn't already been said? Mr. Farrell, your husband, your Dad, your Grandfather was and will always be remembered as a great man. Mr. Farrell may have been a mentor, a motivator, a Coach; however more importantly to the Osborne Family and the entire Nativity community, Mr. Farrell was our Friend!! Mr. Farrell will never be forgotten!! “There are good ships, and there are wood ships, the ships that sail the sea. But the best ships are friendships, and may they always be”. “May the Lord keep Mr. Farrell in His hand and never close His fist too tight”. God Bless Mr. Farrell and may his soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed Rest in Peace!! Until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Lou Sottile
October 9, 2013
RIP Coach. Thank you for the lessons. You were an inspiration to us all and you will be missed.
Mary Ann Guinan-miller
October 9, 2013
Very sorry for your loss...
Jack McGee
October 9, 2013
"Now,let us speak of great men....."
Jack Farrell.
Tom McMahon Class of 1972
October 9, 2013
R.I.P Coach
We were always prepared,and beat teams they said we couldn't, by "pressing them as soon as they got off the bus"
Your record speaks for itself. Great Coach, teacher, motivator, friend
Sylvan Sobel
October 9, 2013
Jack Farrell was born to coach young men. I don't think I've ever met someone who was so well-suited to his profession. Even those of us at Prep who weren't privileged to play on his teams were fortunate to receive the benefit of his coaching on life. He challenged us all to do something positive with the opportunities we had. Among a wonderful faculty of caring, dedicated teachers, he was someone special. May he rest in peace, and may his family find comfort in a life wonderfully well lived.
Jeffrey Sileo
October 9, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with the Farrell family at this difficult time.
Coach Farrell was a true gentleman on multiple levels and I will always remember his friendship.
Chris Cottone
October 9, 2013
Mr. Farrell...May you rest knowing that you helped shape the lives of thousands. My prayers today are for you and your family. Memories of you will last forever far beyond anything your humble persona could ever imagine. Chris Cottone Prep, Class of 1982.
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202-204 Pittston Avenue, Scranton, PA 18505
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