Gary Farell

After a valiant 14-year battle with multiple cancers, Gary Thomas Farell, 75, of Duluth, MN passed peacefully in his home, surrounded by family, on November 6, 2018.

Gary was born in Rochester, NY to Peter and Esther on January 9, 1943. He attended East High School in Rochester, NY and received a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 1966. He worked as an engineer for over 40 years for Armstrong World Industries and Superwood/Georgia Pacific.

Gary was an honest, patient, fun-loving family man with a generous and compassionate heart. He loved the outdoors, swimming, boating, camping, and playing bocce ball and cards. An Italian to his core, he loved his sauce and meatballs, with a side of raucous conversation. In his later years, he survived his Duluth winters by going to Hawaii. He was an adventurous soul that loved traveling the world with friends and family but also treasured the simple joy of playing in the backyard with his grandkids. He always knew what type of doughnut you wanted and made sure there was enough ice cream in the fridge for everyone.

Gary is survived by his loving wife Joey of 52 years; children, Christine (Jim) Lilla, Peter (Kelli); Emily (Kirk Madson), Michael (Dzung), and Thomas (Kara); grandchildren, Emily, Max, Sophia, Oliver, Henry, Oscar, Martin, Thomas, Samuel, Josephine, Benjamin, Elliott, and Kora; sister, Diane (Robert) Cameron; niece, Kelly; uncle, Albert Gallicchio; and many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew, Robert Cameron.

Memorial donations may be made to the Lake Superior Life Care Center, the Damiano Center, the Union Gospel Mission, or CHUM.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m, on Saturday, November 17, 2018, with visitation one-hour prior in St Michael’s Church, 4901 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55804. Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 218-727-3555