Ronald W. Farrell, a proud Marine veteran

Ronald W. Farrell, 83, of Rehoboth Beach, formerly of Washington, D.C., passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, at his home.

Ron was born in New Haven, Conn., Sept. 30, 1936, son of the late Raymond Farrell and the late Catherine (Sullivan) Farrell.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.  Ron was a proud Marine, “Semper Fi” “Oorah.”

Ron retired as a warehouse manager for the District of Columbia Health & Human Services in 1992 after 33 years of service. During those years, Ron gained great respect and admiration from his colleagues, many of whom thought of him as family.  One young man, Andre Stallworth, still considers Ron his father.  Ron provided a safe, secure and loving environment for a young man who otherwise would have taken the wrong path in life. After he retired to Rehoboth   Beach, he worked for several years at Home Depot and Wawa.  

While at Home Depot, he was a dedicated employee, often resolving work-related issues at home. He worked at Wawa in his late ‘70s and was up at 4 a.m. to get there to make the coffee.  Everyone he met was a friend, and even after he left Wawa when visiting to get his morning paper and coffee, many former customers refused to let him pay, paying for him. He made a special friend in Conner Watson, a child with Down syndrome.  Because of Conner, he spent 15 proud years participating in the Polar Bear Plunge. 

He was a member of St. Edmond Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach and also a member of the Knights of Columbus.  Ron enjoyed golfing and gardening in his free time.  He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Darryl Petrey; and a sister, Loretta DeFrank.  He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Carole (Heer) Farrell; three daughters, Valerie Petrey of Ashburn, Va., Linda Farrell of Manassas, Va., and Leslie Houseman and her husband John of Ashburn; a brother, Raymond Farrell and his wife Marsha of Connecticut; two sisters, Joyce Higgins and her husband Pinky of Connecticut, and Judy Gonzales and her husband Eusebio of Florida and North Carolina; 11 grandchildren; and multiple nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Ron was a true “people person” and always went above and beyond to take care of others. Even while having to be fed during the late stages of Alzheimer’s, he would first make sure Carole and his caregivers were fed. He made others feel special and valued even in the smallest ways; giving boxed chocolate to the tellers at the bank, tipping the mailman, Post Office workers and Waste Management employees.  Ron never met a stranger and everyone who crossed his path felt loved.  You would never visit his home without him sharing a cup of coffee, a coke, or a warm conversation.

Above all the admirable qualities Ron possessed, the one he would most want to be remembered was the deep, profound love he had for his wife Carole, his three daughters and his grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, at St. Edmond Catholic Church, 401 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, where a visitation for friends and family will begin at 10:30 a.m.  Interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Ron’s name to Seasons Hospice, 220 Continental Dr., Suite 101, Newark, DE 19713, or the Alzheimer’s Association by visiting www.alz.org.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com