Charles Albert Farrell

FARRELL, O.P. Rev. Charles Albert Farrell, O.P., died on Saturday, March 6, 2010 in Columbus, OH, at the Mohun Health Care Center of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, where he received the loving care of the Dominican sisters and staff for the last several months of his life. Father was born February 23, 1918 in W. Warwick, RI to John F. and Emma (nee Walsh) Farrell. His siblings, Fr John Peter Farrell, O.P., Sister (Gertrude) John Dominic Farrell, O.P., Louise Farrell Tynan, Ambrose Farrell, and Geraldine Farrell McGary all died before him. He is survived by loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Growing up in Providence, he attended St. Pius V Grammar School, LaSalle Academy High School, and Providence College. Father proudly served in the US Air Force during World War II from 1941-1944. Father entered the Dominican novitiate of the Province of St. Joseph at St. Rose Priory, Springfield, KY in 1946 and made his simple profession there in 1947. He made his Solemn Vows in 1950. Father pursued his philosophical studies at St. Joseph Priory, Somerset, OH from 1947-1950, and theology at the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, D.C. from 1950-1955. He was ordained a deacon in 1953 at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. by Patrick Cardinal O'Boyle and was ordained to the priesthood on June 12, 1954 at St. Dominic Church, Washington, D.C., by Bishop Bryan J. McEntegart, Rector of the Catholic University of America at the time. June of this year would have been Fr. Farrell's 56th anniversary as a priest. Father was involved in the parochial apostolate and the formation of young Dominican friars most of his life. He was entrusted with the role of Student Master (1968-70), Provincial Treasurer (1976-80), and Prior of several local communities, including the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC (1980-86). In addition, he served as Pastor in his home parish of St Pius V in Providence, RI from 1970-76, and St. Patrick Parish, Columbus, OH from 1987-1989. From 2001-2009, Fr. Farrell was a beloved senior member of the novitiate community at St Gertrude Priory in Cincinnati, OH. In October 2009 due to declining health, he moved to Mohun Health Care Center in Columbus, OH. Father Farrell's body will be received at St. Gertrude Church, 7630 Shawnee Run Rd., Cincinnati, OH on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 5 p.m. when the Dominican community will pray the Office of the Dead. There will be a Wake service for the public from 6-9 p.m. in St. Gertrude Church on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, and also 9-10 a.m. on Thursday, March 11, 2010. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 10 a.m. at St. Gertrude Church. Fr. Brian Mulcahy, O.P., Vicar Provincial of the Province of St Joseph will preside, and Fr. Clement Burns, O.P. will preach. On Friday, March 12, 2010, his casket will be returned to Mohun Health Care Center in Columbus, where it will be received at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at which Fr. Emmanuel Bertrand, OP, Chaplain at Mohun, will preside and preach. Burial will follow in the Dominican plot at St. Joseph Cemetery in Somerset, OH. Funeral arrangements are being handled by EGAN-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 403 E. BROAD ST.