Farrell, active in Sons of Erin, charitable groups, dies

Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2001 | 8:34 a.m.

When it came to putting on an event to honor Irish-Americans, Ted Farrell saw to every detail, whether it was dealing with the logistics of putting on the 36th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade downtown last March or making sure the beer for the after-parade party was dyed green.

"Ted really put his heart into it," said longtime Sun entertainment columnist Joe Delaney, a founder of the Las Vegas Sons of Erin, of which Farrell served as president through early this year.

"And it was not just for the Sons of Erin, but the entire Irish-American community of Southern Nevada. He was devoted to teaching people about ethnic Irish background and tackling seniors and children's issues."

Edward "Ted" Farrell, a longtime civilian auditor and risk management director for Metro Police who dealt with budget issues during the department's period of greatest growth, died Thursday at his home from complications of an inoperable brain tumor. He was 60.

Services for the Las Vegas resident of 24 years were scheduled earlier today at the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, followed by burial in Palm Valley View Cemetery.

Farrell served with Metro from 1978 until his retirement in January, shortly before he was diagnosed with his illness.

In his off hours, Farrell worked for a number of civic organizations to help the less fortunate.

"My husband was on board for anything or anyone who needed help," said Ann Farrell, Ted's wife of 40 years. "He especially became active in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation after one of our grandchildren was diagnosed with the disease."

Farrell also was a fourth-degree knight of the Knights of Columbus, a member of Elks Lodge 1468 and a member of the Salvation Army board of directors. He was a eucharistic minister and lector at the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer.

Born Christmas Eve 1940 in Providence, R.I., Farrell was the third child and only son of postal worker Edward G. Farrell and the former Kathleen Ward. Kathleen Farrell, now a resident of Las Vegas, survives him.

Farrell graduated from Hope High School in Providence and, in 1976, earned a bachelor's of science degree from the University of Rhode Island. The Farrells moved to Las Vegas two years later.

In addition to his wife and mother, Farrell is survived by three sons, Edward Farrell Jr., of Collierville, Tenn., and Ward Farrell and John Farrell, both of Las Vegas; a daughter, Mary Ellen Mayes of Boulder City; three sisters, Kathleen Devine and Helen Hawley, both of North Kingstown, R.I., and Maureen Gallant of Las Vegas; and nine grandchildren.

The family said donations can be made in Ted Farrell's memory to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 2785 E. Desert Inn Road, No. 240, Las Vegas, NV 89121.