Name: Wake for Richard J. Farrell
Start: 2020-01-24T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-01-25T00:00:00.000Z
Location: William J. Burke & Sons / Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes

Saratoga Springs, NY - Richard J. “Dick” Farrell, aged 74, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 19, 2020. He leaves behind his wife, Pam, son Josh (Kitren) Farrell, daughter Molly Farrell (Matt Garand), and three grandsons, Liam, Nolan and Quinn who were the light of his life. Recently, Dick and Pam celebrated 50 years of marriage. Dick was a devoted father who showed and told his children how much he loved them on a daily basis. The wake will be held from 4 to 7pm Friday (Jan. 24) at the William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home. A celebration of Dick’s life during Mass at 11am Saturday in the Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations in his name to St. Peter’s Church, 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 to assist with various projects including a new roof. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.www.burkefuneralhome.com http://www.lastingmemories.com/richard-j-farrell-1

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Published by The Saratogian from Jan. 22 to Jan. 23, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Farrell

Sponsored by Saratogian.com.

28 Entries

John Elliott

February 14, 2021

We lost touch after St Norbert College and my trip to South East Asia. I'm saddened to hear of his passing. We were good friends and fraternity brothers. I'm very sorry I failed to keep up. I read what others have said and can see that he kept his great sense of humor. What was it about the ballad of Sam Magee or taking the submarine down to 400 fathoms.

Cheryl (Roff) Pellingra

February 4, 2020

Dear Pam, Mollie and Josh,

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Dick. We are never prepared to loose our spouse or father. You have my heartfelt sympathy and prayers. May you find peace knowing that Dick is in the hands of our Lord.

David Torres

February 4, 2020

Condolences to you and your family. May the Lord be with you during this most difficult time.

Connie Gleason

February 1, 2020

Dear Pam, Catherine and Mary, Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss of "Dickie" , as we called him back in our grade school days.
No words will do. . . but will be praying for all of you.
God bless you with comfort, peace, and good memories.
Love and sincere sympathy, Connie Gleason, CSJ

Betsy Miklas

January 30, 2020

Dear Pam,
I was shocked to hear of the sudden passing of your husband. Please accept my condolences. May the many precious memories you have help to bring you peace during this most difficult time.

Cathy (Quinn) Seifert

January 27, 2020

Though I have never met Dick personally, I think I know him fairly well. He was a faithful member of Big Simond hunting club near Tupper Lake. My father, Pat Quinn, my brother, John Quinn, my stepson, Scott Seifert, and my husband, John Seifert, were also members and often talked of Dick. As the Minister of Truth, Dick wrote some great stuff about the going-ons at camp!

mary ann woodell

January 25, 2020

Dear Pam, Molly and Josh: I am very sorry for your loss. I worked for Dick as his secretary in the Registrar's Office. What a quality guy! So smart and funny too. I got his humor. I enjoyed working for him and I was proud to do so. We were a good match. I am so glad to have known him. I miss him already. Mary Ann Woodell

Becca Gergely

January 25, 2020

Josh (and Molly and Pam,). I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. We're hoping that memories of your dad bring you solace in the coming days and weeks. We are thinking of you and sending our love.

Becca and Family

Sheila Mahan

January 25, 2020

Pam, Josh and Molly
My heart is with you today as you say goodbye to Dick. He was a gift to all who knew him. For those of us who were privileged to have him as a colleague, he was a friend, teacher and entertainer. He made us all better people and better professionals by showing us how to have fun while remembering that our job was to serve. So many stories to share, but my favorite of his Wisconsin tales was one involving an aunt and uncle he visited. The punchline, purportedly delivered by his Aunt Deeley (?), began, Look on the bright side, Dickie. For sure, he always did that. He will be missed but never forgotten.

Kara Phillips

January 24, 2020

I met Dick as one of the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield, and only regret that I didn't know him longer. His wit and wisdom were always a delight, and he made a lasting impression during a relatively brief acquaintance. My condolences to Pam and the rest of the family.

Alison Synakowski

January 24, 2020

So sad and sorry to hear of Dicks passing. What a joy it was to know him and share in the stories and the love he had for all. He talked to me as if he knew my children and always offered to help as if they were his own grandkids. I can only image the love he had for them!! His fun loving, serious but not, sarcastic ways will always be remembered.

Evelyn and Joe Barber

January 24, 2020

We were shocked to read about Dicks passing today. Our hearts are saddened by the loss of this fine gentleman. He would always offer a warm smile and greeting when we saw him at Saint Peters Church.
Our deepest sympathy to Pam and Family.
Fondly,
Evelyn and Joe Barber

Tim Burtman

January 24, 2020

Dick was one of the finest human beings I will ever know. I will always miss him.

Kevin & Margaret Burke

January 24, 2020

Dick was always fun to hang out with. His stories and sense of humor could keep us entertained for hours. We recently attended an aircraft museum together and he shared his experiences flying in several of the aircraft on display and historical details and keen insight about them; it was an enjoyable, enlightening experience. We will remember these times fondly. We send our love and deepest sympathy to Pam, Molly & Josh.

Anne Austin

January 23, 2020

Deepest thoughts and prayers at this
difficult time. Dick was a great Husband,
Father, Grandfather and Friend.

January 23, 2020

Pam, Josh and Molly,
Deepest sadness on the sudden passing of Dick. His pain
is gone and he is at peace.
I have so many memories of his greatness, charism and
fabulous sense of humor. He could always be found in the
middle of a crowd telling jokes and sharing history facts.
Pam and Dick were a legendary couple. His pride in his
family was the cornerstone of his personality. His bright
light will continue to shine through the lives of those who
knew and loved him.

Anne Austin / Palmetto, Florida

Susan Horst

January 23, 2020

Dick was the kind of man who asked me when my baby napped, to make sure he didn't run the lawn mower at that time. So gracious, precious, thoughtful and loving! He said the sound of my kid's voices were music to his ears from over our shared backyard fence.. I would joke with him that he had selective hearing.. to which he said once, and sternly... "no no no. they're like.. birdsong." He was tender. KIND. And no doubt, his golden soul stepped into the light on Sunday. My deepest condolences to you, Pam and your Molly and Josh and of course, grandsons. Dick's eyes would light up like the sun, whenever he talked about his grandchildren. God Bless you all during this difficult time. The Horst Family

Amy Burke Lane

January 23, 2020

I am so sorry to hear the news. Dick was always cracking jokes and making me laugh. He had a great quick wit and his sarcasm was unmatched. My mom always said the key to a good marriage is the laughter. I am sure he is making your mother laugh now. I have a lot of good memories over the past 50 yrs with him in my life.
Your family is in our hearts and prayers.

Joseph Craig

January 23, 2020

I had the honor and pleasure to have worked with Dick when he volunteered with us at Saratoga NHP. Dick was a heck of a nice guy and a great raconteur. I will miss his friendliness, professionalism and sense of humor.

Jim Fleming

January 23, 2020

The world has lost one of the best, but the heavens are now brighter. Pax tecum, Dick. Jim Fleming

Richard Wilkinson

January 23, 2020

It is Tuesday, January 21, 2020, and two days ago I lost a good friend, Dick Farrell. Last week we went over to Dick and Pams for dinner, and had a great evening sharing stories and making plans for visiting in Florida. Two days ago Pam and I talked more about a Florida trip. Today I was thinking about calling the Farrells and explaining that we probably could not make the Florida excursion, due to a number of conflicting events, but that we would absolutely be there next winter. I didnt make that call. Instead I called Pam to find out if what Id just heard from Dean Snow was correct, if impossible: Dick had died Sunday.

At some age, we probably come to some understanding that death is not as far off as it once seemed, although there is always the denial that it actually involves me. Dick and I had conversations about the end of life, as old guys inevitably do. We agreed, as old guys also inevitably do, that with great fortune, the end will come swiftly, and we and our loved ones will be spared the much more usual slow decline and all the issues that accompany this gradual death, this death by inches. No one wants that; not for themselves, not for their loved ones. Right now Im trying to convince myself that Dicks passing was as well arranged as it could have been. I dont know how or why he died, but it was quick; no suffering, no agonizing slide into escalating misery, and for that I know he would be grateful. And I am also sure he would want to say, But not just yet! Ive things to do! And, knowing my friend Dick, he would have several jokes to tell on the subject and several stories to relate about amazing passages of friends and acquaintances. Or total strangers; Dick was a treasure house of stories.

At this moment its easy to lament the experiences Dick and I had talked about for the future: we would go hunting; Sue and I would join Dick and Pam in Florida and bask in their hospitality and sunshine; Dick and I would resume our fishing excursions, wed play more golf, wed.do stuff. Thats not going to happen now. But many things did happen; we did have lovely dinners together, we did have the joy of planning, we did play golf and went fishing, I did hear hundreds of stories and jokes, and I did get to know a wonderful man and a true friend, and on balance, my joy outweighs the grief, and I count my friendship with Dick among my many blessings. Or I will as soon as I pass through the real pain of having lost a good friend.
Dick Wilkinson

Tim Horst

January 23, 2020

A kind, thoughtful and wonderful neighbor!
The Horst Family

David and Melissa Benton

January 23, 2020

Your family will remain in our thoughts and prayers.

Jennifer Richard-Morrow

January 23, 2020

Dick was an great volunteer at Saratoga National Historical Park for many years. He will be greatly missed. Our deeepest condolences to his family and friends.

Ellen Weatherby-Niemiec

January 23, 2020

My heartfelt condolences to Dick's family an friends. He was a wonderful friend, leader and confidant. I was blessed to have him as my boss in the Registrar's Office. I will never forget all the fun and wonderful times we had as we worked through each day to help our students. You are already missed my friend. May you rest in peace.

Kirsten Ullman

January 22, 2020

Dick was a wonderful human, and our world is a better place because we had him in our lives. Pam, Molly, and Josh - Im so, so, sorry.

Brenda Vredenburg

January 22, 2020

We send our love, prayers, and deepest sympathy. Love, Jeff and Brenda

January 22, 2020

To Richard's Family and Friends,
Our hearts go out to you in your time of sorrow.
Sincerely,
The Staff at Burke Funeral Home

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