John E. Farrell III

John E. "Jack" Farrell III of Altamonte Springs, FL passed peacefully on July 19, 2024 surrounded by loved ones. He was a cherished husband, father, brother, and friend. Jack was the first born to John Edward "Jack" Farrell Jr. and Rita (Morano) Farrell on February 6, 1953, at the Esposito Home in Hammonton, NJ. Jack was raised in Mays Landing, NJ where he developed his strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit running the family business, Jack’s Farm Market and Garden Center and Produce Delivery Business, on the Black Horse Pike in Mays Landing, NJ. Jack was a 1971 Graduate of Oakcrest High School in Mays Landing and was in the first graduating class of Richard Stockton State College in Galloway Township, NJ. Jack graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences (Microbiology) in 1975 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1977.

In the 1970s, in addition to working hard on the family market, his college studies, and in environmental laboratories, Jack found the time to volunteer with the Township of Hamilton Rescue Squad as an Emergency Medical Technician II (EMT II) where he achieved "Life Membership", was Assistant Chief, and was an Advanced First Aid Instructor. His participation continued over 20 years into the 1990s. It was while on a "squad run" that Jack met Beverly Shaw and married in 1977. Their beloved son Michael came into their lives in 1987.

Following his graduation from college in 1975, Jack began his lifelong career in the environmental industry. He was a recognized leader in the Environmental Testing and Measurement Industry. He had over forty years of experience in laboratory operations and quality assurance, working as an analyst, Quality Assurance professional, technical and general manager of small, medium, and large commercial laboratories, and assessing laboratories for compliance with regulations and accreditation standards. He was a professional trainer, consultant, and third party assessor for a number of state and federal regulators. Jack was the Senior Environmental Analyst, President, and Founder of Analytical Excellence, Inc. (AEX). Since its inception in 1993, AEX has been an independent, strictly confidential consulting firm specializing in environmental laboratory operations, analysis, and matters concerning the generation of analytical data to support effective compliance decision-making and aspects of litigation.

Jack was active in a number of Industry activities and professional associations. He was a Board of Directors member of the International Association of Environmental Testing Laboratories (IAETL), charter member of the NJDEP sponsored Laboratory Advisory Committee, past chair of committees on National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation, member of the American Council of Independent Laboratories Environmental Sciences Section executive committee (ACIL ESS), a member of the Florida Society of Environmental Analysts (FSEA), a distinguished member of Who’s Who Worldwide, a member of ASQC, ACS member, and past member of the editorial advisory board of Environmental Laboratory Washington Report. Jack was heavily involved in regulatory analytical activities and in efforts to implement a national accreditation of environmental laboratories including appointment to The NELAC Institute (TNI) Board of Directors, member of TNI’s Technical Assistance Committee, past chair of the Assessment Forum, and a participant in a number of TNI Expert committees. He was also appointed to the Environmental Laboratory Advisory Board (ELAB), a federal advisory committee constituted to provide expert advice directly to the USEPA, representing TNI. He was a member of the Environmental Monitoring Coalition (EMC). He was also a NATA trained ISO9000 series lead assessor, A2LA trained environmental lead assessor, trained and qualified NELAC laboratory assessor, an instructor for the pilot NELAC basic assessor training course, and trained as an affiliate instructor for the Institute of Global Ethics.

Jack’s significant contributions to TNI over the last 20 years include developing and presenting 23 training courses on quality management systems, laboratory ethics, and advanced topics in analytical chemistry that have been attended by over 2,000 laboratory professionals. His course on manual integration in gas chromatography is widely recognized as the premier course on this very technical topic. Jack was always a strong proponent of ethical behavior by scientists and was very active in efforts within TNI to include a data integrity component in the requirements for laboratories seeking accreditation.

Jack loved his 20 plus years with the Township of Hamilton Rescue Squad and recounted numerous memories from delivering babies to pulling accident victims from burning car wrecks to training other squad members to coordinating emergency responses. Jack was a devoted John Wayne fan, and he loved watching TV, especially classic movies, westerns, and shows from his younger days such as reruns of the 1970’s TV show “Emergency!” that brought back vivid recollections of his years with the Rescue Squad. His recall of movie scripts and actors’ lines was legendary.

Those who knew Jack rarely saw him without a cigar in his mouth and a ball cap on his head. He had quite a collection of both, some received as gifts from family and friends. His caps sported logos or sayings of John Wayne, his favorite adult beverages such as Tullamore Dew or Jameson Irish whiskeys, favorite destinations, golf, Irish pubs, and also his love of RVs. He rarely smoked his cigars but instead chewed them. He used to say his cigar was an adult pacifier, and it was a good indicator of how well, or how poorly, things such as business meetings were going. The more aggravated he would become or attempt to limit his speech, the more he would chew on his cigar and the shorter it would become. When he did actually smoke a cigar, it was usually after working out in the pool and then relaxing in the water while savoring a nice cigar.

Jack was a generous and loyal friend and colleague to so many. He was always willing to collaborate with others. He left his indelible mark on the industry and on many laboratories and their personnel. Laboratories thought he was a fair and reasonable assessor, and they valued his expertise. He was always ready to listen, troubleshoot, and provide guidance on technical questions whenever asked. He could see the bigger picture on important issues and focus on the critical aspects and not get lost in the minutia. He was excellent at delegating and holding everyone to their tasks so that progress was made and goals were achieved. He loved to sit down at the conference hotel bar at the end of a busy day of meetings at TNI and other conferences, relax with an Irish whiskey in hand, and engage in spirited discussions with his colleagues. That was the place to gather for so many people over the years.

Jack is predeceased by his wife, Beverly Farrell, his parents, John E. Farrell Jr. and Rita Farrell, and his brother, James David Farrell. He is survived by his longtime companion and love, Patricia Snyder, his son, Michael Farrell, and his sister, Mary Kay Farrell. He is also survived by several aunts, cousins, and many friends. He will be forever missed and never forgotten.

A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 861 Maitland Avenue, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 on Wednesday, August 14th, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Glen Haven Memorial Park, 2300 Temple Drive, Winter Park, FL 32789 at approximately 12 noon.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Jack’s memory to the Township of Hamilton Rescue Squad, 1400 Route 50, Mays Landing, NJ 08330.