JOHN PAUL (J.P.) FARRELL Suddenly at the cottage on Friday, July 31st, 2009. Beloved husband of Lori. Amazing and devoted father to Abby and Jenna. Dear brother of Stephen (Dora) and the late Joseph. Son of the late William and Teresa. Brother-in-law of Marie (Paddy) and Bill (Leanne). Son-in-law to Len McLean and the late Pat. J.P. will be dearly missed by his nieces, nephews and many friends. Friends may call at the MARSHALL FUNERAL HOME, 10366 Yonge St., Richmond Hill on Tuesday 7-9 and Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. For Mass details please contact the funeral home, 905-884-1062. Donations to the Children's Wish Foundation would be appreciated. http://www.marshallfuneralhome.com/Dad died trying to rescue teens in boating mishap
Whitchurch-Stouffville
John Paul Farrell died exactly how he lived – taking care of everyone around him.
On Friday, Mr. Farrell, 46, was at the helm of his 16-foot motor boat pulling his 15-year-old daughter Abby and one of her friends in tubes through Loon Lake, while two of Abby’s other friends rode in the boat.
The boat unexpectedly hit a wave on the Gravenhurst-area lake, ejecting the Stouffville man and the two passengers from the vessel. The boat’s motor remained running, while Mr. Farrell and the four girls tried to swim to safety.
The girls were wearing life jackets. Mr. Farrell was not.
“He was exerting all efforts to ensure all four girls were safe,” said Bill McLean, Mr. Farrell’s brother-in-law. “His entire focus at the time ... was on the safety of the girls. JP was trying to ensure the boat did not injure the girls.
“He heroically went under the boat,” Mr. McLean said. “JP’s death resulted from impact with the boat.”
Mr. Farrell owned the cottage on Loon Lake for 21 years.
He grew up in Richmond Hill where he played hockey and baseball.
In 2002, Mr. Farrell, along with his wife Lori, whom he married in 1993, and their two daughters - Abby and Jenna, now 12, moved to Stouffville.
But Mr. Farrell remained a constant presence in Richmond Hill, not only because of his family and myriad of life-long friends, but because he was also a referee in the town’s men’s hockey leagues. He also refereed in Thornhill, Whitchurch-Stouffville and west Mississauga.
Once hockey was done, Mr. Farrell would be found on the ball diamond in Stouffville, where he played for a local slo-pitch team.
“He was an avid athlete,” Mr. McLean said. “He was a very strong competitor and strong team player.”
That competitiveness has been passed on to his two daughters who dance for Elite Danceworx in Markham. Earlier this year, Jenna was the fourth runner up, junior division, at the Dance Masters of America Chapter 38 Titled Soloist Pageant.
The family was very involved at St. Brigid Catholic School in Stouffville.
Mr. Farrell was a tradesman in the Sheet Metal Workers’ and Roofers Local Union 30 and worked at Tam Kel Sheet Metal in Gormley.
“He was regarded as one of the hardest working (union) members,” Mr. McLean said.
Mr. Farrell leaves behind his wife Lori, daughters Abby and Jenna, brother Stephen, sister-in-law Marie and brother-in-law Bill, as well a many nieces and nephews.
“There is an exceptionally strong network of family and friends, which is a testament to who he is,” Mr. McLean said. “The family is going to live up to the very example he set.”
Visitation continues at the Marshall Funeral Home, 10366 Yonge St., Richmond Hill, on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Funeral mass will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at Our Lady Queen Of The World Church, 10411 Bayview Ave., Richmond Hill.
Interment will in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Thornhill
