A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated July 31 in Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, Lawrence Rehab & Healthcare Center, Lawrenceville, for Father Joseph J. Farrell, who died July 18 in Capital Health System in Trenton. He was 78.
Father Farrell was born in 1947 in Perth Amboy and grew up in Matawan. He and his family belonged to St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel. He prepared for the priesthood in St. Charles College, Catonsville, Md., and St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, and was ordained a priest in 1974 by Bishop George W. Ahr.
Father Farrell ministered for more than 20 years to the Catholic community in New Egypt, first as the pastor of Assumption Parish, and then, following its merger with St. Andrew Parish, Jobstown, in 2018, as pastor of the newly formed St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, New Egypt. He was placed on a leave of absence in 2021 and retired from ministry.
During his years of ministry, he also served as parochial vicar of St. Joseph, Toms River; St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford, and St. Ann Parish, Keansburg; as parochial vicar and then temporary administrator of Holy Eucharist Parish, Tabernacle; as temporary administrator of St. Bonaventure Parish, Lavallette (now part of St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Lavallette), and as pastor of St. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands (now part of Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands).
Father Farrell was predeceased by his parents and a brother-in-law. He is survived by a sister and a nephew.
Interment was held in Assumption Cemetery, New Egypt.