Thomas W. Farrell

Tom Farrell, 49, died Monday, January 28, 2008, while doing something he loved; taking his morning run through familiar neighborhoods of Roanoke County. He was struck by a car and died of those injuries. Tom leaves his wife, Connie, and daughters, Elizabeth and Katie. Surviving are his parents, Bill and Mary Farrell, of Honeoye Falls, N.Y.; sisters, Mary Agahee, husband, Mossi and her family, of Torrance, Calif., Teresa Walker, husband, Jesse, of Margate, Fla., Sharon Bednarczyk, husband, John and family, of Fairport, N.Y.; and a brother, Bill Farrell, wife, Linda and family, of Fort Mill, S.C. Tom was born in Rochester, New York, February 1, 1958. He graduated from St. John Fisher College, Rochester, in 1980 and moved to Northern Virginia. Tom was a Legislative Associate for a Congressman and several associations in the Washington, D.C. area from 1980 to 1987. He graduated from George Mason University School of Law in 1987. He began his law career as Assistant Commonwealth Attorney in Danville, Va. from 1987 to 1990. He moved his family to Roanoke in 1990 where he worked and became partner in the law firm of WootenHart, PLC. Tom had a strong belief in civic duty. He was a member of the Roanoke Valley Breakfast Lions club for 15 years, serving as president '96-'97 and awarded Lion of the Year in 1993 and 1995. He was a member of the Roanoke Claims Association, a past president and past treasurer. He graduated from Leadership Roanoke Valley in 2005. He was a coach and mentor with the SW County Youth Softball and Soccer League for many years during his daughters' participation in youth sports. At the time of his death he was involved with HVHS Athletic Boosters and held membership with USA Swimming, enabling him to judge in RVAA and High School swimming. He was a member of the Masters Swimming program at Carter Athletic Center and the OLN swim team. He was a member of the Roanoke Athletic Club for 18 years where he shared his passion for fitness with many friends. Tom loved keeping active. He was a terrible golfer, an improving swimmer and a great runner. He ran through cities worldwide and entered countless local races. He ran and finished in the Richmond Marathon in 2006 and 2007. Tom attended Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church where he served on the Cemetery Committee. In lieu of flowers, accepting donations to: Roanoke Valley Breakfast Club Lions Charities, P.O. Box 12433, Roanoke, Va. 24025 or any one of the various swimming organizations. "... So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think that we're apart, for every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart."
A memorial Mass of the Resurrection will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, at Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church, 2505 Electric Rd., Roanoke, Va. 24018, with Msgr. Joseph Lehman officiating. The family will receive friends in the reception hall of the church immediately following the service. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel.
This obituary was originally published in the Roanoke Times.