Date: Fri 23-Apr-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

Emmy-Farrell-American-Wire

Full Text:

Emmy Farrell Retires After 50 Years With American Wire

(with photos)

BY KAAREN VALENTA

It seems like only yesterday that he graduated from Hawley High School, where

he had been an outstanding basketball player, captain of the team, and

all-around athlete, and began working for John McCarthy at the American Wire

Company.

But that was in 1949, five decades ago. Last Saturday employees of what is now

the American Alloy Wire Corporation of Newtown gathered at the Main Street

home of Edmond and Geraldine Farrell -- Emmy and Gerry, as they are known to

their friends -- to celebrate Mr Farrell's retirement April 1 after 50 years

with the company.

Starting on the factory floor, where he did just about every job, Ed Farrell

worked his way up to vice president in the mid 1960's. Over the years he

worked first with John McCarthy, who started the company, then his son, John,

and finally the family's third generation, Bill McCarthy, who is the current

president. The company, which began in Sandy Hook, is located off Church Hill

Road on Wire Road.

Elaine Blanar, the office manager, helped organize Saturday's party which

included the presentation of a plaque and many gifts and remembrances,

including a cap emblazoned with NMP ("Not My Problem") and a T-shirt that said

"I'm retired. This is as dressed up as I get." Joan Crick, who retired as

office manager three years ago after working for American Wire for 30 years,

read a poem which she had written about her friend and former co-worker.

Friends from Newtown Country Club, where Mr Farrell's aptitude with a golf

club earned him the club championship several times, also stopped by. Mr

Farrell still jokes about how former school athletic director Harold DeGroat

became angry with him for opting to play golf at the club rather than join the

baseball team.

The only other American Wire employee who is approaching Ed Farrell's

longevity is Arthur Manville, who said he plans to retire next year after 35

years with the company.

"I had been working with [contractor] John Stefanko and thought American Wire

was a good spot to go indoors for the winter," Mr Manville said. "I've been

there ever since."