Grimsby's oldest living native-born on passed to his last reward in West Lincoln Memorial Hospital on Thursday morning last, in the person of ex-Mayor Charles Towler Farrell, at the age of 81 years.
He was born in the then Township of Grimsby on Oct. 26th, 1870, a son of the late John C. and Jane (Game) Farrell, and had lived here all his life. As soon as he had finished his schooling, he entered the shoe business of his father which had been opened in 1860, and he carried on this business until 1934 when he left mercantile life to become manager of the Liquor Control Board store, which position he held until ill health caused him to retire in 1945.
Very early in life he began to take an interest in all public and social affairs. For many years he was one of those few men to be found in any community who never said "No" when somebody was needed to go out and work to further some worthy project. He was a keen sportsman of the first water and as early as 1905 was a member of the executive of the Grimsby Hockey Club when the Peach Kings won their first championship in the old Southern Niagara District Hockey League. He followed hockey and baseball and softball very closely and was one of the big factors in the building of the original Grimsby arena.
In municipal life he served for some years as a member of the School Board, later as a member of Village Council, then stepped up to the Reeve's chair and as member of council for the village during the years 1917-18-19-20. In January of 1922, when the Village of Grimsby became a Town by vote of the people, he was elected as their first Mayor and served two terms, but was called back to municipal activity again in 1946-47-48 to act as Assessor.
He was a past master of Union Lodge, A.F. & A.M., No. 7, G.R.C.; past D.D.G.M. of Hamilton District; past first principal of Grimsby Chapter, R.A.M., No. 69, G.R.C.; member of Murton Lodge of Perfection, A. & A.S.R.; Hamilton Sovereign Chapter Rose Croix, H.R.D.M.; Moore Sovereign Consistory, S.P.R.S. 32 degrees, and Rameses Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., Toronto.
Surviving are his widow, the former Jennie Teeter; 3 sons, Leslie J. Farrell, of Kirkland Lake; Major Vance R. Farrell, of Ottawa; and Ralph (Red) Farrell, of Barrie; and 3 daughters, Mrs. W. Fisher (Vera), of Stratford; Mrs. Erwin Phelps (Phyllis), Grimsby; and Miss Marguerite Farrell, of Grimsby; also 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
The remains rested at the Stonehouse Funeral Home until Saturday afternoon when services were held with a large attendance of people from all walks of life. Rev. E.A. Brooks officiated at the Funeral Home and the burial commitment. Masonic rites were conducted by Worshipful Master Harold Jarvis and fellow Brethren at the graveside. Interment was in St. Andrew's Churchyard.
Casket bearers were 7 grandsons: John Farrell, Trenton; Terry Farrell, Michael Farrell, of Kirkland Lake; Ralph Farrell, of Grimsby; Danny Farrell, Barrie; Ross Fisher, Stratford; and Peter Phelps, of Grimsby.
