Our Loving Father, Ray, 88 years old, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2015, surrounded by Family and an outstanding Medical Staff at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. He was born a triplet on August 5, 1927 in Akron, Ohio to the late James and Myrtle Farrell. They were Roman Catholics.
Dad was preceded in death by 11 brothers and sisters, Robert, Juanita, James, Mary, Ellen, John, Mary, Anne (twin), Rita (twin), Paul (triplet), Elizabeth (triplet), and Winifred; two wives, Mary and Edna; and two daughters, Newell Farrell Cummings Morton and Theresa Farrell Albin.
Dad is survived by 6 children, Noreen Farrell Nickolas (Bruce), Mary Farrell Golding, Raymond Farrell, Jr., Patrick Farrell, Mechelle Farrell Heitzhaus (Kevin) and Christina J. Farrell; 10 grandchildren, Natalie Cummings Shepheard (Dave), Christopher Nickolas, Peter Cummings (Janette), Laura Nickolas Soto (Kaleena), Nathan Cummings, Joseph Farrell, Tommy Golding (Meaghan), Scarlet Haralson (Justin), Shelby Combs and Leo Rosso; three great grandchildren, Braeden Shepheard, Jaylin Riley and Tucker Cummings and many favorite nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dad joined the Navy on July 4, 1945 in Sampson, New York. He was trained as a Quarter Master; he assisted the officers of the deck, the navigator and performed ship control, navigation and bridge watch. He served during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. His ships include the U.S.S. Alshain, U.S.S. Queens, U.S.S. Wyoming, U.S.S. Portsmouth, U.S.S. Providence and U.S.S. Chandeleur, and his final voyage was on the U.S.S. Intrepid (CVS-11) a.k.a. "The Fighting I" where he made three Vietnam deployments with the Seventh Fleet and earned the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9) and awarded the Navy Commendation Medal. Also during his enlistment, he served as a military training instructor at Naval Station Great Lakes in Great Lakes, IL, navigation instructor at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD and librarian. After he retired in 1970, he became a Certified Automotive Mechanic with his own Garage and Tow Truck. Dad worked his whole life.
Dad was a wonderful father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He gave everything to his children and never let them down. Dad was always fun to be around. A Man among Men. He loved all his dogs especially Fella. Dad enjoyed coaching with Churchland Little League and Churchland Pony League. He enjoyed watching football, baseball, softball, golf, figure skating, horse shows, dancing shows, and traveling to visit family. Also, he was a master gardener of tomatoes. He always called himself the "Black Sheep" of the family.
We want to thank all of our friends, neighbors, and doctors and staff at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth for all their help.
The viewing will be held Tuesday, September 15, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The funeral service and burial will be on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens. After the funeral, Family and Friends are invited to have some "Good American Chow" for Dad at Mechelle and Kevin's home, 4037 Hargrove Landing, Suffolk, Virginia 23435. Donations to the Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughter's in Norfolk, Virginia, are requested in lieu of flowers.
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