James Farrell, Jr.

James L. Farrell, Jr. passed away peacefully on Friday, January 20 at the age of 85. Born in the midst of the Great Depression and coming of age during the World War II era, Jim's youth was spent in Missouri, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Washington, DC. Jim graduated from The University of Notre Dame in 1959 and went on to earn his MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and then his PhD in Finance from New York University.

Jim had a long career in the investment management business. It started in New York City at TIAA-CREF and included leadership positions at a number of organizations including MPT Associates, Farrell-Sumitomo Life Investment Management which he co-founded, and Ned Davis Research. Jim was also the chairman of the Institute for Quantitative Research in Finance (the "Q Group") for almost four decades. A lifelong student and lover of research, Jim authored three books: Guide to Portfolio Management, Portfolio Management: Theory and Applications and Modern Investments and Security Analysis as well as numerous articles. He also held the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Jim was a history buff with an extraordinary memory (rumor had it that he had read the entirety of the World Book Encyclopedia from A to Z) and loved quizzing his kids about things like state capitals and U.S. presidents on long car rides. As a devout Catholic and ND grad, Saturdays in the fall were consumed with Notre Dame football games, while Sundays were spent at church followed by nature walks. He looked forward to nice dinners, enjoyed good wines and wasn't afraid to order dessert before he ordered his entr?e. An avid golfer and champion bridge player, Jim also loved the arts, particularly opera and classical music.

His natural demeanor made him a joy to be around and his smile would put all at ease. He was often the quietest person at the table yet able to crack a joke or make a comment that would knock his companions off their chairs in delight. He was a Republican that any Democrat could love (including two whom he raised!). Like his desserts, Jim was sweet and gentle and never said an angry word, except during certain football games or election cycles.

Of his many accomplishments, there was one thing Jim was proud of more than any other - his family. He married Cyrille over 50 years ago - a courtship that began when he bumped into her not once, not twice but three times in a single day in New York City before asking her on a date. Together, they raised three children, navigating life in an Upper East Side apartment before moving to the open space of Greenwich, CT in the early 1980's. He was a devoted father who prioritized his children ahead of all other things - focusing on their education, nightly family dinners and attending countless school assemblies and plays, Father-Daughter dances and sporting events. Summers were spent in Bethany Beach, Delaware where eventually eight grandchildren would visit and hear "Granddaddy" tell all sorts of stories and made up words that were music to their ears. As his kids got older and his family expanded, he often remarked that "it just got better and better."

Jim is survived by his beloved wife Cyrille, his three children, Barbara (Hayward), Catherine (Teddy) and Jim (Lisa), as well as his eight grandchildren, Peter, Hugh, James, Charlie, Kip, Willa, William and Lilly who all cherished and loved their Granddaddy, and his brother Tom Farrell and sister Jane Burgess.

Jim's life will be celebrated at a small family mass on Saturday, January 28 at the Log Chapel at the University of Notre Dame and his final resting place will be at the University's Cedar Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The University of Notre Dame's Financial Aid Fund (visit giving.nd.edu) or to Cristo Rey New York High School (cristoreyny.org/give-now).

Info: donnellanfuneral.com or (847)675-1990.