Edmond P. Farrell

Lifelong Resident Known As ‘Mr Newtown Country Club’

Edmond P. “Emmy” Farrell, 79, of Newtown died August 1 at Danbury Hospital after a short illness. Mr Farrell was the loving husband of Evelyn M. Farrell, who stood by him in many things, especially as he played his “last game of golf.” He was born in Bridgeport, December 30, 1929, a son of Johanna (Lynch) and Matthew Farrell.

 Mr Farrell grew up in Newtown on his parents’ farm, located on Chestnut Hill Road in Sandy Hook. He attended Newtown schools and graduated in 1948, an outstanding athlete, shining in the game of basketball. In 1951, he served as a corporal in the US Army in Germany.

It was at American Wire Corporation, Sandy Hook, where Mr Farrell spent 50 years diligently manufacturing copper magnet wire, acting as plant manager and vice president for many of those years.

He was a top area golfer with a handicap of 5. He was a 50-year member of Newtown Country Club, having been recruited by one of his dear friends, Mike Kearns, where he learned to excel in his love of the game. He served as greens chairman on the Board of Governors and was instrumental in making Newtown Country Club a better golf course. He was known as “Mr Newtown Country Club,” giving many hours of his time and experience to the club. During his golfing days, he was club champion five times, and in 1964 he had a hole-in-one on the 215-yard tenth hole. He was president and past director of the affiliate corporation, Newtown Country Club Realty Corp, and was also a member of the Ridgewood Country Club, Danbury.

“Before he took up the game of golf, almost full time,” recalled Newtown Bee publisher Scudder Smith, “he was an excellent baseball player, and years ago played on a local team that was sponsored by The Newtown Bee, competing with teams from area towns. And he was an avid fan of the football New York Giants, showing his support by hanging one of their banners from his front porch every Sunday in the fall when the team played.”

Mr Farrell was a fervent gardener, supplying his neighbors and friends with all sorts of wonderful vegetables. His lawn and flowers were a delightful addition to Main Street. One of his dearest friends was his neighbor’s dog, a black lab, Belle, who spent many hours with him. She would visit him every day for treats, friendship, and love. Belle will miss him as much as anyone.

Mr Farrell was preceded in death in 2000 by his first wife, Geraldine M. Farrell.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St Rose Church, Newtown, August 5. Interment followed in Newtown Village Cemetery.

The Newtown Bee        August 7, 2009