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Matthew Farrell Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Matthew Farrell
Chris Callahan
September 9, 2021
To Jeff and the Farrell family,
I can remember a young Matt running around the Dalton Boys club when we were kids, and Craig Crosier and John Corliss telling him to slow down. And as so many have noted, he only had one speed--shot out of a cannon. But I found him funny, mischievous, and a character.
I guess this hit one hit home for me because the last time I saw him we were still basically kids. I left the area back in 1979 to join the Navy.
And growing up in Dalton then, most everyone knew or had a sibling that went to school with one of the Farrell's or the Brown's.
I wish your families all the best with their continued healing--and to cherish the time we get to spend together. Matt was one of a kind.
Sincerely,
Chris Callahan
Judy Schnopp
March 21, 2011
Jim, Jeff - I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. Please know that others are keeping you in their thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time.
Judy
Mary Bowers
March 18, 2011
Truly THE most hearfelt and inspiring eulogy I've ever had the pleasure to read. How awesome, Sue, to have the courage to deliver such wonderful words about your brother Matt.
I would love to have been there in person to hear this fabulous tribute.
I could DEFINITELY hear Matt's closing remark though.....heard it many times in grade school actually :)
Love to all the Farrells at this tender time.
Susan Haddad
March 18, 2011
Matthew Thomas Farrell
I have to be honest when I started writing this eulogy… I started from a very angry and sad place.
I was so angry thinking back on the life Matt has endured for the past ten years
I was saddened that even with all the love that poured out to Matt
…from family and friends…
that we couldn’t give Matt back the life he had before that day.
I am sure most of the people here today have felt the same way. We all loved Matt………. and we wanted better for him…
But I am going to ask everyone here today to take that anger and sadness and let it go.
Because that is what Matt would have wanted.
He wasn’t a man of anger…………. and he didn’t dwell on his hardships.
Matt chose to live…and he fought very hard for that life…We would do him an injustice if all we remembered today were the hard times.
We need to embrace and celebrate the loving, humorous and crazy guy he was.
When asked what Matt was like as a child my Mom would just shake her head and laugh…my Dad was not as diplomatic…
he would laugh and shake his head
and say…“I can tell you one thing … if he had been the first child… he “damn sure”…. would have been the last”.
Those were the endearing words my Dad would use when describing the frustration he had… keeping up with Matt’s never ending energy.
From what I could gather Matt was just one of those kids who couldn’t stop moving until he literally would pass out cold right into his dinner plate. Matt’s escapades brought lot’s of …. lets say “excitement” into mom and dad’s lives.
That was their Matthew Thomas and they loved him…
Matt loved without judgement. The two women in Matt’s life who I believe taught him to love so unconditionally were my mother and my grandmother Farrell. My grandmother was Matt’s biggest fan and he was hers… Because in her eyes Matt could do no wrong…It kills me to say it…but you want to believe Gram loved us all the same…or in my case I believe she love me the most…but to be real…I do believe Matt was her favorite… ok Matt I said it…you were her favorite.
As brothers and sisters are memories are filled with the crazy things Matt would do that truly defied logic. Frost biting his fingers in an ice-cream maker for dollar, freezing his tongue to a metal pole in the driveway in the dead of winter….. and the most disturbing act…sticking his tongue unto hot light bulb hoping he could make his head light up so he could see his brain… Ohh yeah that one hurt…
Or as he got older “borrowing” beer from the policemen’s booth at the Dalton Carnival…taking a car for a joy ride over Gulf Road…But that was our brother Matt and we loved him.
As Matt got older he found friends who could also be described as adventerous.
Because I am not sure of the legal statute of limitation on some of their adventures… I am not going to go into detail. Suffice it to say Matt had very loyal friends who stood by him throughout his life.
My brother Jim reminded me of one story of Matt and his friends. I am going to share it with you because I think it really reflects the fun Matt had when he was just being Matt.
This is in Jim’s words so I hope I do it justice……
Quite a few years ago Matt was lucky enough to win a used power ice auger in a raffle.
He and a few of his friends decided to take it out to Pontoosuc Lake the next day… and try their hand at ice fishing.
While checking his tip- ups Matt came to one and although the flag never went up ….he felt something large on his line.
As he retrieved the line….. he looked in the hole and immediately knew he needed a bigger hole.
He yelled to bring the auger and his buddies began cutting some intersecting holes…..
while he made sure they did not cut the line holding his prize.
Because he was only rigged with a light line for perch… and pickerel…. the struggle took place over a long period of time.
When all was said and done Matt and his buddies held a new….. but obscure
Massachusetts Ice Fishing State record.
One that will most likely never be broken.
Someday …..someone…. might catch another….. 12 foot long aluminum John boat through the ice…..
but the odds of it having a 6 horsepower outboard motor… and oars are about a million to one.
Oh’ and by the way the motor started right up after spending a few days in the basement drying out.
The story is true, for only Matt could pull something like that off.
To Matt’s friends….. Peter, Johnny, Robby, Richard, Rick and all of you who stayed loyal to him….. our family thanks you.
Hunting and fishing were Matt’s passion. He could spend hours telling his tales of how he took down his bear and how his deer, that hung proudly over his bed, was written up in Pope & Young …
Matt shared the bond only a true sportsman feels with my father, brothers, Uncle Mike, and all the gang that showed up at the Goehlachs camp.
Even after Matt’s accident he was able to get out and hunt a few times thanks to family and friends who made it possible.
I need now….. to take time…… to acknowledge the people…. I believe gave Matt the strength to live. Who made him smile.
Matt chose to live because he wanted to spend the time…. he had ……loving the people who he held close to his heart.
Jenny, I want to thank you for being a part of Matt’s life. The times you shared were some of the most precious and happiest times of his life.
You shared your family, Paige and Josh and their children with Matt…. and he embraced them as if they were his own.
You brought love… and companionship into his life….. and I envy the intensity of the love you shared. You gave him a reason to live. Thank you.
Now I need to acknowledge the truly most important people in Matt’s life…his children
Katie, Kyle, Karley, and grandchildren Douglas and Alexis…
Matt lived for you…he loved you…Matt took such incredible pride in all of you. You couldn’t spend 5 minutes with Matt without him giving you a run-down of what you kids were up to…His home was filled with photos of your lives and I know he drew strength everyday from them. Your presence in his life is what kept him going.
Not all children experience the devotion your dad had for you all.
Remember him for that…. and hold it close. Make Matt’s life matter. Go forward holding on to the strength he embodied and the love he shared with you. Remember Matt for his gift of loving you unconditionally…but don’t just remember you Dad for it…bring it into your own lives….try to judge less……. and be more accepting of others faults…play his love forward….That’s what he would have wanted.
Before we go I want to leave you with a picture of were I believe Matt is right now.
Picture a bright sunny summer day …..a crystal clear lake surrounded by a lush green forest…picture Matt healthy, tanned and strong, he is wearing a pair of levis, old work boots and a worn out flannel shirt ...Matt, Dad and Gramp are floating in a big aluminum John boat with their fishing lines tossed out.. there’s a big red cooler filled with cold Budwiesers anchoring the back of the boat…Matt is reaching into it to grab a cold one…on shore Carol and Gram are sitting at a picnic table with their vodka tonic’s and Manhattan’s having their own cocktail hour with friends.
Now picture Matt standing up in the boat, he turns and is looking right at you…. lifting his beer to the sky…. as if to toast us all and with a big smile on his face …we all know what he would yell out to us….
”Say goodbye dummy”…
Ken and Carol Russell
March 18, 2011
To the Farrell family,
We were saddened to hear the news of Matt's passing. May you all find comfort in each other and the love of friends. We are thinking of you all.
March 17, 2011
Dearest Farrell Family - we are truly sad to have just heard the news about Matt and our thoughts and prayers are with you for strength during this time. We shared wonderful memories growing up with you all.
Rachel and Martha (Higgins)
Kathy Mullins
March 16, 2011
Dear Jim: So sorry to hear of your brother Matt's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your brothers and sisters and Matt's family. Wish there was more to say ~ I am so saddened. Your Friend Always, Kathy Mullins
Darcy Marcella Culverwell
March 16, 2011
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and...Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
~Darcy
Cathy Dastoli
March 16, 2011
Dear Carley and Family,
I'm so sorry for the loss of your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Debbie & Heather
March 16, 2011
Annie;
So sorry for the loss of your brother Matt. Find comfort in the fact that he is now in the company of your mom and dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love
March 16, 2011
DEAR FARRELL FAMILY, I WAS SO SAD TO HEAR OF MATT'S PASSING. I'LL PRAY FOR HIM AND YOURS FOR STRENGTH. TAKE CARE, BONNIE REED NICHOLS
March 16, 2011
Sue and Paul,
Sorry for you loss of your brother, Matt. If there is anything we can, please let us know. Our thoughts are with you today.
Bob & Kathi Keegan
Lisa & Joey Szczepaniak
March 16, 2011
Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy and in very good hands. ~Author Unknown
All our thoughts, love & prayers go out to you all during this very sad time~
Rick & Gail Farrell
March 15, 2011
Sue and all the Farrell Family,
Rick and I were so sorry to hear about Matt..Rick is in Dallas with Ricki and family and will be in touch when he gets home.. Thoughts and prayers go out to all of you at this time.
Jim & Gail Crosier
March 15, 2011
To the Farrell Family Our sympathy for your loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Annie Hayes
March 15, 2011
Sue and Paul,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I didn't know Matt but from what you've told me he had a long and difficult struggle and now he's dancing around in heaven.
Craig & Sandy Crosier
March 15, 2011
To the Farrell Family:
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Klancy Brown
March 14, 2011
AWE MATT! You will be missed and forever in our hearts! Love Klancy
Michelle Gazaw St Marie
March 14, 2011
To the Farrell Family
Thoughts and prayers go out to all of you in your time of sorrow. Matt was a wonderful guy. I have so many great memories with Matt and some of you back in the day. May you rest in peace Matt.
March 14, 2011
To the entire Farrell family,
We're sorry for the loss of your brother. May memories of happier times sustain you through this difficult time. Jerry and Carol Vella
Robin Litchfield
March 14, 2011
Matt's extended family,
Sorry to hear of Matt's passing. This has been a long struggle for him. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this time.
Sincerely,
March 14, 2011
Sue and Paul...our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. If there is anything we can do, please let us know...
Love, Rick and Liz Flynn
Mary Sturgis
March 14, 2011
Carley & Family,
Your in my thoughts and prayers.
Merri (Willey) Seidl
March 14, 2011
Annie, Aline and Mark - my deepest sympathy for the loss of your brother. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
March 14, 2011
To the Farrell family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you.[Jim and Millie Callahan]
March 14, 2011
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with the entire Farrell Family. From the entire Larkin Family. So sorry to hear about Matt.
March 14, 2011
Dear Farrell Family,
It was a pleasure caring for Matt. I really appreciated Matt's wonderful outlook even when he was not feeling well. As many of you know, I met Matt when he was initially a patient at BMC following his spinal cord injury. Later, I always enjoyed Matt's visits to my office. He was a kind man who will be missed by many. My thoughts are with you all.
Dr. Steve Williams
March 14, 2011
Al, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time
Kathy Butts
Mark Wannamaker
March 14, 2011
Jim, and the Farrell family, you have my deepest sympathy. My thoughts are with you all.
Peg Shirley
March 14, 2011
Mark and Linda and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dave Palitsch
March 14, 2011
Dear Pete and Mark,
Please extend our heartfelt condolences to your entire family. We have been privileged to know you for almost 25 years and consider you "our family." Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time...and always.
Dave Palitsch & All Your Friends at UCI Albany.
Cate Eldridge
March 14, 2011
For the Farrell Family:
"Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”
May the thoughts, prayers and the love of friends and family comfort you at this time and may God's Grace bring you peace~ Cate Eldridge & Family
Kathi Casey
March 14, 2011
My prayers and thoughts are with all of you - Matt is in peace now, and his memory remains alive within us all.
Kathi Casey
March 14, 2011
TO THE FARRELL FAMILY, OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY YOUR FAMILY IN THE LOSS OF MATT.MATT GREW UP WITH OUR SONS.
MR& MRS RAY BUCK
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