WORCESTER-John F. Farley, Sr., 90, of Worcester, died Saturday, December 26 at home surrounded by his family. His wife of 49 years, Mary Margaret “Peg” (Murphy) Farley predeceased him in 1992. He leaves a son, Jack F. Farley and his wife Joellen of Holden; two daughters, Maureen M. Poti and her husband Emil of Worcester and Kathleen M. Farley of Worcester; a sister, Margaret T. McNamara of Worcester and a brother Joseph W. Farley of Holden. He also leaves five grandchildren, Christine M. Clemente and her husband Mark of Worcester, Jamie M. Farley and his girlfriend Allison Staff of Plymouth, Colleen M. Boquist and her husband Dan of Worcester, Thomas E. Poti and his wife Jessica of Sandwich and Allison M. Amato and her husband Peter of Quincy; two great grandchildren, Mark John Clemente and Lily Margaret Clemente, both of Worcester; nephews and nieces.
He was born in Worcester, son of Joseph W. and Margaret T. (Reardon) Farley and graduated from Commerce High School. John was a Worcester Firefighter for 32 years, retiring as a Lieutenant in 1974. He was a member of Local 1009, the Worcester Firemen’s Relief Assoc., Worcester County Police and Fire Assoc. He was a life member of the Knight’s of Columbus, Alhambra Council #88. Grandpa John enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and his summer vacations on Cape Cod.
John was an Army Veteran of World War II. He was a graduate of the Officer’s Candidate School in Fort Benning, GA, and was promoted on the field of battle to First Lieutenant in the Italian campaign at North Appenning and Po Valley, Italy. He received the Combat Infantry Man’s Badge, Bronze Star and three Battle Stars. After basic and advanced courses in infantry school he graduated from the General’s School in Indianapolis, IN. He attended the Naval School of Intelligence in Little Creek, VA and was a graduate of the Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, KS on July 2, 1966. He was a member of the 361st Infantry Assoc., the World War II Retired Officer’s Club and retired as Lt. Col. in the United States Army Reserves on June 6, 1979.
The funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 30 from CALLAHAN & FAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 61 Myrtle St. with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Blessed Sacrament Church, 555 Pleasant Street. Burial will follow in St. Brigid’s Cemetery in Millbury. Visiting hours are Tuesday, December 29 from 4-7 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to TD Bank c/o Grace M. Berry, Miracles for Miranda, 370 Main St., Worcester, MA 01608. For directions and online condolence book please visit www.callahanfay.com