Peter J. Farrell, Jr.

TEMPLETON - Peter J. Farrell, Jr., 77, of 23 Highland Avenue, Baldwinville, a long-time educator, died unexpectedly Tuesday morning, October 2nd at his residence. He was born in North Smithfield, Rhode Island on December 14,1929, the son of Peter J. and Julia (Sarris) Farrell and was a resident of Baldwinville for many years. Peter dedicated his life to education. He was a graduate of St. Paul's High School in Blackstone, following which he entered the Navy from 1948 to 1952. He then graduated from St. Anselm's College in Manchester, NH and received his Master's Degree in Education from Fitchburg State College. He began his career as a science teacher at East Templeton Elementary School and then the Baldwinville Elementary School. He moved up to become Principal of the Baldwinville Elementary School. In future years, he was Principal of the Dexter Park Elementary School in Orange, the Gail Brook School in Orange, and the Fisher Hill School in Orange, which he helped design, until his retirement in 1992. He received a commendation from the Massachusetts State Legislature at that time. After his retirement, he returned in brief stints as Interim Principal of the Baldwinville Elementary School and the Petersham Central School. Peter served on the Narragansett School Committee for several years. He was deeply blessed to have been called to a career in Education and seemingly could remember something about every student he had ever taught. He was an avid Fisherman, a skilled Cribbage Player, a voracious reader, a gifted story teller and a dedicated Wood Carver. But what he most enjoyed was spending time with his large family. He was also a longtime and dedicated fan of both the Red Sox and the Patriots! His wife of 27 years, Gail C. (Olsen) Farrell, died in 2005. His first child, Sharon A. Farrell, died in 1993. He leaves seven children, Stephen P. Farrell of East Templeton, Kathryn E. Martinez of Worcester, Peter J. Farrell, 3rd and his wife Julie of Baldwinville, Daniel J. Farrell and his wife Eileene of Orange, Thomas B. Farrell and his wife Carol of Phillipston, Joseph I. Farrell and his wife Cheryl of Otter River, and Michael C. Farrell and his wife Marnie of Marlboro; two sisters, Julia Baldyga of Uxbridge and Patricia Carpentier of Houston, TX; a stepdaughter, Vikki Zanotto (Blum) of Australia; his former wife, Patricia A. (Feighner) Farrell of Baldwinville, 22 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, several nephews and nieces and his two best friends, Kent Dumas and Dave Bramhall, both of Phillipston. A sister, Kathryn Flaherty, predeceased him. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 6th from the Snow-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 A.M. in St. Martin's Church, State Road, Otter River. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Baldwinville. Calling hours in the funeral home will be Friday, October 5th from 5 to 8 P.M. Memorial donations may be made to the Templeton Fire Department Rescue Squad, PO Box 4, Baldwinville, MA. 01436 or to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA. 01701-4688. www.snow-ladeau.com