John 'Don' Farrell

John D. (Don) Farrell, 81

Troy- John D. (Don) Farrell, 81, passed away at his home on October 12, 2006, in Troy, New York, after a brief illness. Don is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Anne Fitzgerald Farrell, and their four children, Anne Farrell Minehan (Mark), John Farrell (June), Kathleen Farrell, and Therese Farrell O'Callaghan (Daniel), and their six grandchildren, Elizabeth and Bridget Minehan, Holly, Erin, and Laura Farrell, and Edmund O'Callaghan.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was son of the late John J. and Mae Kelly Farrell. He was a graduate of LaSalle Institute in Troy, and Williams College, Williamstown, MA. He was a leader in the heavy construction industry for forty years. He served as President of Fitzgerald Bros. Construction Co. for 22 years and then as Senior Vice President of Callanan Industries until his retirement.

In addition to his devotion to his family and friends, he was also devoted to his community. During his lifetime he served as an active member on numerous boards including the New York State Asphalt Pavement Association, where he served as President; the Advisory Board of the Troy office of the State Bank of Albany, where he served as Chairman; Sunnyside Center in Troy, serving as the first President and long-time board member, and the Rensselaer County Junior Museum. He was also well known for his dedication and commitment to the LaSalle Institute Alumni Association and its activities.

He also served with remarkable dedication as an officer and board member of the St. Mary's Hospital Foundation. He was a 1978 recipient of the hospital's Vincentian Award for outstanding service, and recipient of St. Mary's Caritas Award in 1992. In 1996, the Nuclear Medicine Suite at St. Mary's was dedicated in his honor by Callanan Industries, Inc.

Following his retirement, he was very active in the Brunswick Historical Society, serving as President and board member. Through the Historical Society, he was an active leader and worked tirelessly to establish the Brunswick Veterans' Memorial Park in Eagle Mills.

An avid golfer, he was a member of the Country Club of Troy for many years. At the time of his death, he was a member of the Taconic Golf Course in Williamstown, MA, his "favorite golf home for over sixty years". Photos of the 13th fairway, his favorite hole at Taconic, as all his family and friends knew well, were always among the standard furnishings in his office.

Funeral service will be held Monday at 10:00 am at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue Troy and at 10:30 am from St. Francis de Sales Church 316 Congress Street in Troy where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Donald Ophals, Pastor.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call Sunday from 3-5 and 7-9 pm at the Bryce Funeral Home, 276 Pawling Avenue, Troy. The family wishes to thank the staff members of The Community Hospice of Rensselaer County for their kind and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, contributions would be appreciated to the Seton Health Foundation, PO Box 985, Troy, NY 12180 or LaSalle Institute, 174 Williams Road, Troy, NY 12180 or The Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, 295 Valley View Boulevard, Rensselaer, NY 12144.

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