John Francis Farrell, Jr.

John F. Farrell, Jr. of Greenwich, CT died peacefully at home on Sunday, August 8, 2021 at the age of 83 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. His devoted wife, Cecilia Farrell of 57 years was at his side until the end. John is survived by his two sons, John F Farrell III and James Farrell and his wife MaryAnne, and their 3 daughters, Katherine, Megan and MaryGrace.

John was born on October 4, 1937 in Flushing, NY and was the oldest of 5 children. After graduating from Stuyvesant High School in 1953 at the age of 16 he was awarded a full scholarship to New York University where he went on to complete two bachelors and two masters degrees in law and engineering from 1957 to 1965. He was admitted to the Washington D.C. Bar Association in 1962, the New York Bar in 1963 and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd circuit in 1966.

John was an accomplished fencer and a member of the N.Y.U Varsity Fencing Team from 1954-1957. Outside of school he was a member of the New York Athletic Club and Captain of their U.S. Olympic Fencing Squad that traveled to Poland for the World Fencing Championships in 1963. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Amateur Fencers League of America.

After practicing corporate and tax law for 6 years he began his investment banking career at Merrill Lynch and then moved to Oppenheimer & Co. where he was a partner from 1974 to 1983; primarily involved in private equity transactions. From 1984 to 1987, John headed a private equity group where he was involved with the acquisition and sale of companies in various industries including apparel, food services, outdoor furniture, mining and manufacturing. In 1985, he purchased a small California based mortgage company from Wells Fargo Bank, which had 22 offices and produced $800 million of residential mortgages. John rebranded the company as North American Mortgage and remained Chairman and CEO for 13 years. During this time, he oversaw its nationwide expansion to 150 offices and completion of public offerings through Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley. At its peak, North American Mortgage originated $18.6 billion in mortgages and was one of the three top mortgage companies in the Country. In 1997, The Dime Savings Bank acquired North American Mortgage.

Throughout his business and professional career John served on the boards of multiple public and private financial services companies including, Fidelity Financial Inc., Ames Financial Corporation and Lender Processing Services.

He was actively involved in Boston College, where from 1990 to 2000 he served as a Trustee and on its Finance and Audit Committees. He was a founding member of The Boston College Wall Street Council, lent his support to the music department and headed the Parents Council with his wife Cecilia from 1989 to 1993. He was an avid Boston College supporter and friend and remained an Associate Trustee until this year. John’s love of Boston College and the close friends he made there was always something he cherished.

John loved his family above all and especially his wife Cecilia of 57 years. They shared an incredible marriage full of love and devotion. John was unwavering in his support of their two sons in all of their personal and professional endeavors. More recently, John beamed with pride over the success of his three wonderful granddaughters who he cherished and adored.

John lived a life of faith, love, gratitude and humility. He will be remembered for his professional successes, but above all, he will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Calling Hours will be at Leo P. Gallagher and Son Funeral Home, 31 Arch Street Greenwich, CT 06830, Thursday, August 12, 2021 4:00-8:00 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 469 North Street, Greenwich, CT 06830, Friday, August 13, 2021 at 11:00 AM.