Eugene J. Farrell

Eugene J. Farrell, 64 of Ashburnham, MA, passed away on Monday, October 17, 2022. Diagnosed with ALS in late 2021, he maintained a positive attitude and strong Catholic faith which he carried throughout his life.

He was born on March 24, 1958 to Francis Robert ("Bob") and Kathryn Gertrude (Linehan) Farrell in Bryn Mawr, PA. After Gene graduated from St. Joseph's Prep in 1976, he went on to receive his B.S. in psychology from Boston College and later his Masters and postgraduate degree from Fitchburg State University. Gene worked as a mental health counselor for many years, retiring in 2020 from the Gardner School District where he worked for 18 years as a school adjustment counselor.

On June 26, 1982, he married Elizabeth Ann Yanelli. They met on Pleasant Bay in Chatham, Cape Cod, and shared a wonderful life together raising their three children, Daniel, Glenn, and Erin, in the small town of Ashburnham. Gene was a devout parishioner of St. Denis Church, and was involved in the community through coaching youth sports, his community work in local recycling and environmental groups, and advocating for equality and mental health access.

Gene was an eternal optimist and always saw the good in others. He was compassionate, fun-loving, and always "saw the cup as half full," even during the difficult time following his ALS diagnosis. He was a dreamer, a lover of nature, of books, live music and of Boston College football.

Gene was preceded in death by his father, Bob, his mother, Kathryn, his son, Dan, and his loving wife, Liz. He is survived by: his son, Glenn, daughter-in-law, Molly, and grand-daughters, Caela, Elyse, and Nieve, of Newburyport, MA; his daughter, Erin, son-in-law, Spencer, and grand-daughter, Avery, of Northborough, MA; his brother, Anthony Farrell of Havertown, PA; and sister, Annamarie (Farrell) Khemalaap of Boerne, TX.

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 11:00 at St. Denis Church, 85 Main Street in Ashburnham, MA for all who would like to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Massachusetts Chapter of the ALS Association, 200 Frieberg Parkway, Suite 1000, Westborough, MA 01581 (https://donate.ma.als.org/give/302350/?#!/donation/checkout).