Richard W Farrell, Jr, Born March 17, 1948 - August 31, 2022 (age 74)
Richard W Farrell, Jr of Scituate passed away peacefully in the late afternoon of August 31, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.
Rick was born in Boston in 1948 to Richard W Farrell, Sr and Margaret Mary Farrell (Gardner). Rick was brought up on Boston’s South Shore town of Scituate by a family that was involved in marine contracting. While in high school and later at college, Rick did deck and pilothouse work on tugboats and lighters. He attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at King’s Point for two years, spending one of those years at sea on merchant vessels. Four different trips during this time took him to Scandinavia, West Africa, and twice to the Far East.
It was, however, another interest - writing - that influenced Rick’s decision to transfer to the University of Massachusetts, where he earned a B.A. in English in 1971. Starting in that year with SAIL magazine he became manager of their retail book business.
During a leave of absence from the magazine, Rick skippered several yacht deliveries along the east coast and in the West Indies.
It was during his time at SAIL that Rick started teaching summer courses in navigation offered by the magazine. His teaching experience was again put to use between 1974 and 1975 when he served as Chief Mate and part-time instructor on the schooner Harvey Gamage. He also sailed as Captain on the schooner The Bon Temps in the Caribbean. Thus, when Rick came to SEA in 1975, he not only had the sea-time experience, but he had the teaching skills that are necessary as a member of the Westward’s crew. He started as Mate in 1975 and sailed with W-23, 31, 33, 34, 36 and 39 in that capacity. On W-41 Rick first took command of Westward, 125ft topsail schooner. Subsequently, he commanded W-42, 46 and in the Caribbean with W-48. During the celebratory1980 Parade of Sails in Boston Harbor, he was Master of the Westward Schooner.
During the 80’ and 90’s, Rick worked Captaining ocean going tugboats up and down the East coast. Also, on three occasions he Captained oceanographic research vessels for Kendall Enterprises of Great Britain to the Antarctic continent.
Rick was a talented songwriter, self-taught guitar and piano player, steel drum player - a skill learned on trips to Trinidad. He performed in various local groups including “The Dancing Nancys” and “Pancho Steel Band”. Rick was a Life Honorary Member of Scituate Harbor Yacht Club. His other hobbies were color photography, sketching, and, of course, recreational sailing.
Rick is survived by his three sisters, Karen Crosby of Fairfield, CA. (Robert; deceased), Nancy Argue of Hampton, NH. (Tom), and Margaret (Peggy) Bruno of Marshfield, MA. (Carmine). He was the cherished uncle to Jori and Kevin Argue, Rachael, Jarrod, and Camden Bruno, and Christopher Crosby; and the loving great uncle to Aven and Elliot Edes, Sydney and Brayden Meyers, and Olivia and Harrison Crosby.
Rick’s life might be best exemplified by his favorite quote, “If it’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen out there”. His love of the ocean, sailing and music was known to all. His life was a life well lived.
We welcome family to join us at the Union cemetery, Scituate, Ma for interment at 11am Monday, September 12, 2022.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 12-3pm on Monday, September 12 at Scituate Harbor Yacht Club. We welcome all family and friends to share stories and remembrances or play a song if so inclined.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Sea Education Association- see below for direct link.
Or, can be mailed directly to:
Sea Education Association (SEA)
PO Box 6
Woods Hole, MA 02543
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