Joseph Farrell

FARRELL, Joseph Christopher, died March 12, 2013. He was born on September 27, 1935 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ellen and Joseph Farrell, and his brother, William John Farrell. He is survived by his wife, Susan Bradley; his three sons, Christopher, Michael and John of Idaho; his sister Eileen F. McCarthy and her husband John H. “Jack” McCarthy of Boston, Massachusetts. He is also survived by his stepchildren, R. Timothy “Trip” Tepper III and Jane Kristen Tepper; two grandchildren; and three cherished nieces and two nephews.

Joe graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in Electronic Engineering and Harvard, where he received an MBA. He volunteered for the U. S. Navy and was selected for nuclear power training where he qualified to operate nuclear power plants and submarines. His naval career elevated him to Lieutenant Commander of the U.S.S. Pollock which was awarded a Navy Citation for its contribution to antisubmarine warfare during the Cold War years. Joe was also awarded a personal Navy Citation during his service on the U.S.S. Pollock.

He joined Freeport-McMoRan Corporation and developed new copper and nickel mines in Indonesia and Australia. He returned to the U. S. in 1975 as Assistant to the Chairman and was elected President, Freeport Gold Company, in 1978. Following the development of Freeport Gold, he joined The Pittston Company (now The Brink’s Company) as Senior vice President in 1984. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 1986, President and Chief Operating Officer in 1990, and was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1991. He retired from the Pittston Company in 1998.

Joe served on the Boards of Universal Corporation and ASA Limited. He served as President of the Board of Trustees of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Engineering Foundation and Rector of the Board of Visitors of James Madison University, President of the Board of the Foundation for the Preservation of Virginia’s Executive Mansion, Chairman of the Science Museum of Virginia Board of Trustees, member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Foundation, the Board of the Virginia Capitol Foundation and Chairman of the Operations Committee of the Richmond Performing Arts Center.

Joe enjoyed sports, especially golf. He shared his love of the game with his Richmond golf buddies known as the “Wizards” and the “Knockers.” He was a world traveler, an avid reader and a “numbers cruncher.”

Services will be held at The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Laurel Street at Monroe Park, on Monday, March 18, at 12 Noon. Parking will be available in the Parking Deck located at 801West Main Street. Interment will follow at Hollywood Cemetery, 412 S. Cherry Street, Richmond, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Massey Cancer Center,

P. O. Box 843042, Richmond, Virginia 23286-0441; Pancreatic Center Research, c/o Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation, Dr. Ramesh Ramanathan, 10001 N. 92nd Street, #121, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258; or the charity of your choice. Online condolences at www.woodyfuneralhomeparham.com.