John R. Farnell Jr.

1942 - 2023

Farnell, John R. Jr.
MECHANICVILLE - John R. Farnell Jr., the "Greyhound" of Elizabeth Street, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, November 10, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was 81 years old.
Born on February 13, 1942, in Mount Vernon, N.Y., he was the son of John R. and Alice (Bates) Farnell, Sr. He was the husband of Barbara Ann (Mangano) Farnell, whom he married on March 22, 1963.
John graduated from Edison High School, class of 1961, and graduated from the G.M. Trade School in Tarrytown, N.Y. He held many jobs in his lifetime, earning his "Jack of All Trades" title: he was a mechanic, delivered oil, and worked for Borden Dairy in their plant. He started driving Greyhound Buses out of the Port Authority in New York City in September 1967. He drove for almost 30 years with the company and was proud of the fact that he drove over five million miles without an accident or ticket issued. He moved his family to Mechanicville in September of 1972. During the '80s, he delivered papers for the Times Record. He worked for the City of Mechanicville Water Plant and retired in 2002 due to a knee injury. He was a past captain of the Mechanicville Fire Police, drove an ambulance for the John Ahearn Rescue Squad and was a member of the Mechanicville Elks. He loved playing Santa for local families during the Christmas season. He loved cooking for and feeding everyone in the neighborhood. No one who entered his home ever left hungry or without being adopted as family.
John met Barbara on a blind date in November of 1962, and they married the following March. Together, they had four children who survive him: Jeanette (Donald), Karen (Paul), Stephen (Loraine), and John (Carolanne). He is also survived by his brothers, Dick (Donna) and Jeffrey (Joan); his grandchildren, Paul Burrello Jr. (Theresa), Katelyn Burrello (Kyle Wood), Kyle Farnell, Madelyn Farnell, Audrey and Travis Overhuls, Sonny and Vinnie Farnell; and his nieces and nephew Christine, Kit, Jill, and Jeffrey.
John took pride in watching his family grow and celebrating their accomplishments. He would give you the shirt off his back, was always ready to lend a helping hand and he was certainly one of a kind. You always knew where you stood with him. He never pulled punches and always was a straight shooter. His smile, humor, wit and huge heart will be forever missed.
The family would like to extend special thanks to John's angels, Glenda, Tyria and Janelle.
Services for John will be held on Thursday, November 16, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Chase-Smith Family Funeral Homes, 319 Park Ave., Mechanicville. A celebration of John's life will be held at Hempstreet Park Fire Department immediately following services.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of John R. Farnell.
Online remembrances may be made at www.chasesmithfamily.com.