Thomas J. Farrell, 78, of Oxford passed away peacefully Thursday evening October 12th at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.
Tom or should I say the Big “T” as he was known by all, was born on Rexford Street in Norwich on February 6, 1939. The youngest of Six to Edward and Helen (Nellie) Farrell. The family would eventually move to the Lower Ravine Road to a place that would be known as “The Farm”. It is here that his love of animals, the outdoors and hunting would develop. A lifelong resident of Norwich and the surrounding areas, he first attended St. Paul’s School and was a 1956 graduate of the Norwich High School. A member of 4H in school, he took great pride in his “Jersey’s” and would show them at local and state fairs. Small in stature he would find a passion for one sport, wrestling and was guided by head coach and mentor Sam Elia thru out his high school years. He would attend and wrestle at Albany State and eventually transfer to Oneonta State. His love for the sport would continue both in following high school wrestling and in the Norwich High School Hall of Fame with the information needed to induct fellow teammates. Tom was also instrumental in getting Sam Elia inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Big T was a longtime and favorite member of the Lost Pond Club. He was past president and proudly served his favorite position, wild life commissioner! He was also a great supporter of Ducks Unlimited’s local chapter as well as the Western NY chapter run by his brother Jim and wife Patti. An avid hockey fan, starting with the Clinton Comets and his beloved Detroit Red Wings. He had a special bond with goalie Jimmy Howard and followed the team religiously on TV as well as road trips to Detroit, Buffalo, NYC, Miami and Tampa. Tom also enjoyed his Sunday’s at the local Catholic Churches not only for the spiritual guidance of the likes of Father Vol or Father. Ralph but also for the comradery and socializing with all patrons.
Big T had two passions in life, hunting and golf. In fact may thought that was his job! In hunting what he enjoyed the most was deer hunting. Starting at age 16 Tom and best friend Pat Quinn would hunt every deer season together until this one. Another big part of his hunting was his dogs, especially beagles. Many great rabbit hunts were made with him and his dogs to places like Tug Hill and Pharsalia. Hunts with his boys and brother Jim were very dear to him. On the golf course he was known for hitting a long ball, a short temper and a way of phrasing 4 letter words so eloquently! He was a member of Canasawacta Country Club and Blue Stone Golf Course and he always felt right at home at Knickerbocker Country Club playing in many tournaments here and throughout the area made him well known in the golfing community and was notoriously known at Braningham Golf Course with a 30 year member guest run with Tom Bradish
In 1977 Tom purchased the Oxford Tavern from Pete McBride. Tom would start the business with his wife Nancy and boys Tom, Scott and Pat. Good friend and bartender Jane Coleman would dedicate many years to his 35 years at the OT. Big T had a different philosophy on running a bar. He knew what side of the bar he needed to be on. His jokes, antics, stories and partying became legendary. He could make anyone who walked thru the door feel welcome and a part of what was going on, but what mattered most to him and what he cared for the most were his regular customers, they were his second family. Family get togethers there were St. Patrick’s Day, Super Bowl Sunday and Father’s Day which was called “Farrell’s Day”. It was the bond or chemistry or whatever you want to call it between Tom and all his friends there that put the Oxford Tavern on the map!
He was a father, a brother, a grandfather and an uncle, but most importantly he was a friend to anyone he ever met. His wit, jokes and sense of humor kept everyone laughing. He was a great story teller and always able to recollect names and events from who knows where. And he always had the right words to soothe any situation. He made the most of every moment and touched every one of us in a way that we will never forget. And I can tell you that in his final days, all the people that were in the room with is to help him, got to know him and got to share a few laughs with us until the end.
Tom is survived by his sons Thomas Farrell of Oxford, Scott Farrell of Schenectady and Patrick Farrell of Falmouth, MA; sister Helen Dillon also of Falmouth, MA and brother James (Patti) Farrell of Portland, NY; also survived are his grandchildren Cody (Caiti) Farrell, Chelsea (Luke) Miller, Nicole, Amy and Alicia Farrell, and greatgrandchildren Mya and his very dear Eliza; many nieces and nephews also survive. He was predeceased by his parents Edward and Helen Farrell and sisters Patty, Nancy and Alice.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Tom will be held on Tuesday at 10am from St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church. The Rev Ralph Bove, Pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends may call at the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home on Monday from 5-8pm. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations be made to the SPCA of your choice.