Edward James "Ed" Farrell

3/8/1941 - 1/27/2026

Old Lyme - Edward James Farrell, 84, of Old Lyme, passed away peacefully Jan. 27, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Born March 8, 1941 in The Bronx, N.Y., he was the son of the late Walter and Mary Farrell (McCaffrey), and was one of four siblings. Ed is a graduate of Davis High School (1959), Mount Vernon, N.Y. and Westchester Community College (1964), where he earned a degree in construction technology.

Ed served proudly in the United States Navy, aboard the USS Lester in Newport, R.I. from 1959 to 1963. He was honorably discharged in 1966. After serving his country, Ed enjoyed a long career in the construction industry as a project manager.

On Oct. 24, 1965, Ed married Sharon (Reiher), his high school sweetheart. Their 60 years of marriage were a testament to a deep and enduring love which set an example to all who knew them. Together they shared a bond rooted in devotion, respect, faith and lots of laughter.

Ed did many small things with great love and delighted in sharing with others life's simple joys: teaching his children to ski, vacationing on Long Island, breakfast dates with his longtime buddies, fishing, golfing, and leading his loved ones in old Irish ballads after dinnertime.

An adoring father and grandfather, he found his greatest happiness in his family. Despite bravely fighting cancer over the past two years, Ed was able to walk his daughter down the aisle, experience the arrival of a new grandchild, and savor many a Sunday Sauce - where he was often the first to grab a plate and the last to go home.

Ed is survived by his beloved wife, Sharon Farrell; his children: Laurie Caruso, Edward Farrell Jr., Mary Farrell and her husband Andrew Helbig, and Matthew Farrell and his wife Courtney Farrell; his grandchildren: Zachary Caruso, Ryer Caruso, Sophie Addison, Fiona Addison, Harper Farrell, Wally Farrell, Jones Farrell, Addison Helbig and Ainsley Helbig; and his sisters, Anita Casey and Geraldine Madden. He is predeceased by his brother Walter Farrell Jr.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at Saint John's Church, 161 Main Street, Old Saybrook.

Ed's family would like to express their deep gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Smilow Cancer Center, Yale-New Haven Home Services and Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for their wonderful care, acts of kindness and loving support. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ed's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and the Wounded Warrior Project.

To sign the online guestbook, visit www.swanfuneralhomeoldsaybrook.com.