Obituary of Simeon J. Farrell

Simeon “Si” J. Farrell, 87, died Sunday, December 31, 2006 at his home in Baldwinsville, after a short illness. Mr. Farrell was born in Yonkers, NY. He graduated with a degree in accounting from New York University in 1942. He entered into active duty with the Marine Corps upon graduation; and served with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division in the battles for Guam and Iwo Jima during WW II as a field artillery officer. After the war, he remained in the Marine Reserves until 1955, when he retired with the rank of Major. After the war, Mr. Farrell earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, graduating in 1948. While at Virginia, he taught accounting at the Jefferson School of Commerce at Charlottesville, Virginia. Upon graduation, he began teaching accounting at Syracuse University, which he did until 1954. After passing the bar exam, he became an associate with the Syracuse law firm of Love & Balducci. In 1952 he joined the law firm of Gale & Stone in Baldwinsville. When Ormand Gale was elected to the County Court bench in 1962, the firm became known as Farrell, Martin & Barnell. Mr. Farrell remained a partner in that firm until his retirement this past fall. During his career, Mr. Farrell served as Trustee of St. Mary’s Church from 1958 until 1996. He taught release time religion classes at St. Mary’s School during the 1950s and 1960s. He was president of the Baldwinsville Kiwanis Club in 1957. He served as chairman of the Town of VanBuren Republican Committee from the late 1950s until the mid 1970s, with a short absence during the 1960s. He served as attorney for the Baldwinsville Central School District from the late 1950s until the early 1980s. He was also general counsel to Seneca Federal Savings & Loan Association for 50 years, being recognized for that service by Seneca’s Board of Directors at its annual meeting in January 2006. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Onondaga County Bar Association from 1991 through 1993; and served for many years on the county bar’s Lawyer to Lawyer committee, which attempts to help fellow attorneys seeking help with their addictions to alcohol or other substances. For that work he was honored by the County Bar Association with its Distinguished Lawyer Award in 1999. In 1979, Monroe Abstract & Title Corp. honored Mr. Farrell with its “Good Guy” award. Many think that this is a fitting way to describe him, not only as an attorney but also as a person. Mr Farrell was predeceased by his sisters: Mary Mathews and Winifred Ungemach. Survivors: his wife of 59 years, the former Winona Schellings; his son and law partner, Charles (Nancy) of Baldwinsville; his son, Andrew of Rome, NY; and his daughters, Mary (Chuck) Schmutz also of Baldwinsville and Lea Ann (Charles) Van Winkle of Underhill, Vermont; as well as, six grandchildren. Services: 10:30am Friday, January 5, 2007 at Falardeau Funeral Home, Baldwinsville and 11:00am at St. Mary's Church with burial to follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Baldwinsville. Calling hours are 4:00pm – 7:00pm Thursday, January 4, 2007 at the funeral home, 93 Downer Street. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, to the University of Virginia School of Law Foundation, c/o University of Virginia School of Law, Alumni Asscociation, 580 Massie Rd. Charlottesville, VA 22903-1789.