John Paul “J.P.” Farrell was born in 1947 to a post-war, working-class, Irish-Catholic family in Woburn, Massachusetts. He died at age 79 in Washington, DC with family and his priest by his side to bless him home.
He was harness horse racer for his first career and worked in family services in his second career. He loved his family, including his ex-wife Carol with whom he raised two boys, Daniel and Brian, in Massachusetts and Maine.
He loved fly fishing (he was a guide for in Maine for veterans with PTSD) ice hockey (including playing in elite leagues in Canada and Massachusetts) and music rock and roll from the 1960s through the 1970s. In his last years, he loved going to concerts especially Creedence Clearwater Revival. He was active in his sons’ sports. He coached his youngest son’s junior high hockey team and even assisted his oldest son coach a professional hockey team. He was a life long Red Sox fan, especially after as a child meeting legend Ted Williams.
Late in life, he moved to the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington DC to be close to family. He developed a close bond with grandchildren. His faith and love of family defined him. His favorite saying was, “Have faith in the Lord with all your heart and all your knowledge, and He shall Light the way.”
He served in the Army active duty from 1967-1969 in the Vietnam War.
He was preceded by his parents, George Russell Farrell, Sr. and Florence Muriel Bryce Farrell; his siblings, George Russell Farrell, Jr. and Madeleine Johnson; and loved ones lost during the journey of this life. He is survived by his sons, Daniel and Brian; daughter-in-law, Kristen; grandchildren, Sam and Garrett; siblings, Steve Farrell and his wife Fran Marino, Sue Mahony, David Farrell and his wife Joan, Liz Moguaro and her husband Bob; brother-in-law, Steve Johnson; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
His Funeral Mass will take place Saturday, June 6th, at 10 a.m. in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn, Ma 01801. Burial to follow in Woodbrook Cemetery, Veterans Lot, Woburn. Calling hours will be held in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, on Saturday morning prior to the Funeral Mass from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. In lieu of flowers, he would be honored through donations to the Marist Laity of the Society of Mary, International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, or Project Healing Waters.
John Paul “J.P.” Farrell was born in 1947 to a post-war, working-class, Irish-Catholic family in Woburn, Massachusetts. He died at age 79 in Washington, DC with family and his priest by his side to bless him home.
He was harness horse racer for his first career and worked in family services in his second career. He loved his family, including his ex-wife Carol with whom he raised two boys, Daniel and Brian, in Massachusetts and Maine.
He loved fly fishing (he was a guide for in Maine for veterans with PTSD) ice hockey (including playing in elite leagues in Canada and Massachusetts) and music rock and roll from the 1960s through the 1970s. In his last years, he loved going to concerts especially Creedence Clearwater Revival. He was active in his sons’ sports. He coached his youngest son’s junior high hockey team and even assisted his oldest son coach a professional hockey team. He was a life long Red Sox fan, especially after as a child meeting legend Ted Williams.
Late in life, he moved to the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington DC to be close to family. He developed a close bond with grandchildren. His faith and love of family defined him. His favorite saying was, “Have faith in the Lord with all your heart and all your knowledge, and He shall Light the way.”
He served in the Army active duty from 1967-1969 in the Vietnam War.
He was preceded by his parents, George Russell Farrell, Sr. and Florence Muriel Bryce Farrell; his siblings, George Russell Farrell, Jr. and Madeleine Johnson; and loved ones lost during the journey of this life. He is survived by his sons, Daniel and Brian; daughter-in-law, Kristen; grandchildren, Sam and Garrett; siblings, Steve Farrell and his wife Fran Marino, Sue Mahony, David Farrell and his wife Joan, Liz Moguaro and her husband Bob; brother-in-law, Steve Johnson; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
His Funeral Mass will take place Saturday, June 6th, at 10 a.m. in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn, Ma 01801. Burial to follow in Woodbrook Cemetery, Veterans Lot, Woburn. Calling hours will be held in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, on Saturday morning prior to the Funeral Mass from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, he would be honored through donations to the Marist Laity of the Society of Mary, International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, or Project Healing Waters.
His Funeral Mass will take place Saturday, June 6th, at 10 a.m. in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn, Ma 01801. Burial to follow in Woodbrook Cemetery, Veterans Lot, Woburn. Calling hours will be held in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, on Saturday morning prior to the Funeral Mass from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, he would be honored through donations to the Marist Laity of the Society of Mary, International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, or Project Healing Waters.
Dave, we offer our condolences upon the passing of your brother. May he rest in peace.
Fondly, Jerry and Lois Surette
To have known a man for some sixty-six years as a true friend, and not be able to recall a single bad memory between us, is, to me, the ultimate testament to the man.
For Paul and I, this was honestly the case.
Over all those years, through all of life’s twists and turns, he never gave me a reason to think otherwise. He will live forever in my heart as one of the finest examples of integrity I have ever known. His friendship was a gift, his character unwavering, and his presence a blessing to all who knew him.
I will miss him, as I am sure anyone who knew him will.
He was the only cowboy at the roundup who never needed a rope, a trick, or a deception to corral friends. People were drawn to him naturally, by his honesty, his decency, and the genuine kindness he carried throughout his life.
To know him was to respect him. To call him a friend was an honor.
The older I get, the more I realize that a life is not measured by what a man accumulates, but by the way he treats people and the memories he leaves behind. By that measure, Paul was a wealthy man indeed.
I am grateful our trails crossed for so many years, and I will carry his memory with me for the rest of mine.
Our deepest sympathy to your whole family as you deal with the loss of your dad, Brian. I am not sure we can ever feel prepared for this time. Thank goodness we can hold on to cherished memories, which live on through us and others. Our deepest condolences, Carol and Jack
May the beautiful memories the family shared together bring peace and comfort at this time. My deepest condolences.
My heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of John Paul Farrell.
Sending you all love, strength and perseverance, especially during this time.
Sharon Leslie
Love you cousin! JP, Thanks for horse training advice over the years! I met many people over the years who knew and had great respect for you in the Standardbred Racing world (yes, I was a name dropper). ❤️
JP was a mentor to me as a young groom working in the same barn as him in Foxboro. He held his care of his horses to the highest standard. RIP JP ❤️
John was a kind man that I will remember for taking time to talk and help guide me at times over the years, when I needed the advice of a friend, father, or brother. He was proud of his boys, Dan and Brian. Enjoyed the times we spent at the USS Zumwalt ceremonies over the years! May God continue to bless the Farrell Family!
Always a reliable fixture at our holiday dinner table, Uncle Paul’s captivating storytelling always showcased the love and pride he has for his two sons. I will always remember his laughter: Paul was someone who could readily make my own father smile from ear-to-ear and laugh like a joyful child, telling jokes and sharing family stories together over dessert. The love for his parents, his brothers, sisters, and especially his sons, will echo far beyond the time and space that he – or any of us- has here. We will miss you, Uncle Paul, and welcome the times when your echo returns to give us a smile and a laugh.
J. P. was a gentleman always. Knew him from my Hinsdale Raceway days.
My condolences to the family. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Irving Bluestein
When I was new in the business J.P. was always available to answer my questions and help me. He catched drove for me several times. A great guy!
My Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Farrell Family ❤️🙏
With deepest sympathy for Brian and Danny rest in peace JP
JP was such a nice guy and great horseman. I used to hang out with his ex wife Carol when they were still married. He will be missed.
My condolences 🙏
To The Entire Farrell Family: Ronnie and I are so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. It’s so difficult having gone through it ourselves. Always remember the good times and keep his memory close. Your old Bronislaw neighbors. RIP Paul.
My sincere condolences to JP’s family and friends. May he RIP 🙏🙏
May the peace you so freely gave to others now walk beside you on your next journey, just as your kindness walked beside those whose lives you touched along the way. And may you find calm waters ahead, where the casts are effortless, the rise is true, and the river carries you gently home.
Uncle Paul, you were a great man, father, brother and uncle. Like a true Irishman you were incapable of making a long story short, but they were great stories. Always quick witb a smile and long with a joke. I will always treasure these memories. May you rest in peace Captain Farrell.
P.s. your nieces and nephews would like to know if we can let king kong out of the garage now…🤔
J.P. was a Prince of a man, he was a wonderful horseman who later did meaningful work with Veterans. My condolences to his family, his sons Brian and Danny, he will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Heaven just got another one of the good guys, God Bless him.
Dearest family of JP, it was an honor to get to know JP as he spent time with “BACK IN THE MAINE STREAM” fishing program for disabled veterans. He was very soft spoken and was very helpful to me as I was helping my husband (Marc Bilodeau) run the program. I never forget the nice people that I met through this program. I know JP has been taken to heaven riding on Brilliant White Wings of Angels with my darling Marc at his side. God Bless you all who loved and cared for our fried, JP🪽🪽