Farrell, Ted Joseph (Died)

October 20, 1939 -- October 30, 2024

It is with great sadness that our family shares that Ted passed away peacefully after a long and courageous battle with lung disease, shortly after celebrating his 85th birthday. Predeceased by Marion, his best friend and beloved wife for 60 years. Loving father to Ted Jr. (Kerry), Paul (David), Becky (Frank), and Heather (Hugh), and grandfather to Alexandra (Matthew), Emma (Marcus), and Aidan (Emily) Farrell, Jared and Joshua Farrell-Smagata, Chase Woon, Kobe (Eveka) Beaton, and Keith Lama. Great-grandfather to Julia, June and predeceased by Madelyn. Dear brother to Bobby (Carol). He is survived by several nieces and nephews. He will certainly be missed by all and in particular by his close friends Brendan Ryan and Tommy Stewart who provided many hours of friendship and laughs over the years.

Ted grew up in Woodstock with his mother Isabelle and younger brother Bobby. His father, Ted Sr, died when he was still in diapers, which led to his mother leaving her career as a nurse to juggle running the family hotel in Woodstock and raising two young boys. He attended boarding school at DeLaSalle College in Toronto until 1957 when a planned return for his final year of high school was sidetracked after meeting the love of his life, Marion. He then transferred to Woodstock Collegiate to be closer to Marion. After graduating high school, they moved to London where she pursued her career as a nurse and Ted attended Western University. While pursuing his English degree he also played football and earned the name Woodstock Fats for his pool-playing while working hard at a minor degree in Barley Studies at The Ceeps. After a victory lap at Western, Ted and Marion were married and settled in Brantford in 1964 and soon started their family. He began teaching at a small Catholic private school, St. John's College, where he served as a teacher, vice-principal and principal until he retired in 1996. He truly loved Catholic education and thrived seeing students reach their potential while proudly watching St. John's grow. He coached football and girls' basketball and even tried his hand at acting in the role of Jacob in a fantastic production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in his final year as Principal. Following retirement, he remained active at the gym, refereeing basketball and spending time with his family.

Covid struck Ted and Marion in 2021 and it sadly claimed his bride. His battle with Covid accelerated his lung challenges which he battled without complaint while maintaining his sense of humour until he passed.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Charlotte Villa and the Brantford General Hospital over the years for their compassionate care. For those wishing to make a donation in Ted's honour, please do so to St. John's College to support student needs. Visitation will be Sunday, November 10, from 1-4 p.m. at McCleister Funeral Home, 495 Park Road North, Brantford (519) 758-1553. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Pius X Parish, 9 Waverly St. Brantford, (519) 753-8349 on Monday, November 11, at 1 p.m. followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at mccleisterfuneralhome.ca

To watch a special tribute video of Ted Ferrell's life go to: youtu.be/or9P4dCwIzs?si=tZNe-BxLq-cRjOaU