William (Bill) O’Farrell, 91, of Red Hook

RED HOOK » William (Bill) O’Farrell, 91, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, of Red Hook, N.Y., passed away peacefully at his home with his loving family around him on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017.

Bill was born on Nov. 2, 1926, in Galway, Ireland; son of the late Patrick and Elizabeth (Manning) O’Farrell. He grew up in Clifden, County Galway, enjoying hunting, fishing, and tinkering with cars. After working in the Irish Post Office for a number of years, Bill decided to immigrate to Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1955, quickly landing a job as an assistant engineer on the Circle Line of Manhattan.

On Oct. 24, 1958, Bill married the love of his life, Maureen Faherty, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Following their marriage, Bill pursued contracting work in Brooklyn as they began their family. During the next couple of years as their family grew, they made a brief home in Dublin, Ireland, before finally settling in Red Hook, N.Y., in 1973. Soon after arriving in Red Hook, Bill started Red Hook Plumbing and Heating. As his business grew, his two eldest sons would eventually join him and, upon his eventual retirement, took over the business.

While raising his family, Bill always made time to share his many passions with his children, such as travel, history, construction, and mechanics. These passions were indelibly transferred to both his children and grandchildren.

Throughout his long happy retirement, Bill remained extremely active. He and his wife fulfilled their dreams of traveling the world. Well into his late 80s, Bill could often be found in the company of his grandchildren, biking/walking with his dog, or working in his garage. His sense of humor and quick wit were with him until the end.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Maureen and their four children; Patrick and his wife Peggy (Carroll) O’Farrell, Bill and Jamie (Abela) O’Farrell, Tom and Deede (Miller) O’Farrell, and Alicia (O’Farrell) and Don O’Shea. Along with his children, he is adored by his 15 grandchildren: Cory, Alley, Jack, and Will O’Farrell, Connor, Rachel, Liam, and Ava O’Farrell, Kady, Maggie, Erin, and Reagan O’Farrell, and Aidan, Patrick, and Helena O’Shea. Of his four siblings, Bill was predeceased by Carmel O’Hara and Talbot O’Farrell but is survived by his loving brother and sister, Oliver O’Farrell and Lillian Cashman.

Friends may call at Burnett and White Funeral Home, 7461 South Broadway, Red Hook, N.Y., during the hours of 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 on Friday, Dec. 29, 2017.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at 11 a.m. at St. Christopher’s Church, 7411 S. Broadway, Red Hook, N.Y. Interment will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Red Hook.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bill’s memory to the Church of St. Christopher and St. Sylvia, 7411 South Broadway, Red Hook, N.Y.

Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes 7461 S. Broadway, Red Hook, N.Y.

For directions, or to sign the online guest book, please visit www. Burnett-White.com.