Farrell, William J.

Description

William J. Farrell was born in Rye on November 28, 1921 to Harry J. and Mae Hehir Farrell. In Rye his family lived at 15 Forrest Ave. and were members of the Church of the Resurrection. Bill, as he was known, attended Resurrection Grammar and Rye High School. As a young high school baseball player, he once pitched a no-hitter.

William was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Pacific Theatre including the Aleutian Islands Campaign.

The Aleutian Islands campaign was a military campaign conducted by the United States, Canada, and Japan in the Aleutian Islands, part of the Territory of Alaska, in the American Theater and the Pacific Theater of World War II starting on June 3, 1942. In the only two invasions of the United States during the war of a U.S. incorporated territory, a small Japanese force occupied the islands of Attu and Kiska, where the remoteness of the islands and the challenges of weather and terrain delayed a larger American-Canadian force sent to eject them for nearly a year.

Home From Aleutians
Pfc. William J. Farrell of the Anti -Aircraft Gun Battalion is home on a 30-day furlough after eight months in the Aleutians. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Farrell, Forest Avenue. The Farrells have two other sons in the service, Sgt. Harry Farrell, Jr. , stationed in Kingman, Ariz. , and Cpl. Lawrence Farrell, who is anticipating service overseas and was last heard from at Fort Bragg, N. C.
Friday, March 16, 1945 THE RYE CHRONICLE PAGE FIVE

Bill met and married Anna Belusky, a native of Czechoslovakia, in 1945.
An electrician by trade, he worked in and around his hometown for most of his life.

He also served as a volunteer fireman for the City of Rye. Bill was also a frequent volunteer at his daughters’ school and town sporting events.
He was an avid fan of New York sports teams, especially the Mets and Giants.

Longtime members of the Rye Seniors, Bill and Anna Farrell traveled all over the country on senior-sponsored trips.
A familiar figure around town, Bill walked the length and breadth of Rye, sporting his signature “Ireland” green cap, smiling and giving a friendly wave to friends and strangers alike as he traveled the streets of the city he loved.

Bill was a lifelong parishioner of Church of the Resurrection and a member of the Resurrection Grammar School Dad’s Club.

William J. Farrell, a lifelong Rye resident, passed away at his home, surrounded by his family, on August 8, 2013.

Mr. Farrell was predeceased by his beloved wife, Anna, and by his oldest daughter, Barbara Owen.
He is survived by his daughters: Cathleen Montimurro (Anthony), Vickie Cox (Joe), and Jacqueline Wellott (Trent); his eight grandchildren: Jason, Andrew, and Christopher Owen, Jesse Petrucelli, Emily Montimurro, Keelin Moore, and Conor and Clare Wellott; and three great-grandchildren.

A mass of the Christian Burial was held at the Church of the Resurrection, Rye, on Wednesday, August 14, 2013