Joseph T. Farren

Joseph T. Farren left this world to be with God in heaven on March 14, 2017. He is reunited with his parents and numerous family members who will be thrilled to have him among them again. He was born on September 1, 1959 to Daniel J. Farren, a Cambridge Firefighter and Mary T. Farren, a homemaker, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was brought home a few days later. As time went by it became evident that he was not reaching developmental milestones in the normal time span, such as holding his head up. His parents checked with the family doctor who advised them that Joe had Downs Syndrome, a condition which resulted from an extra chromosome at conception. The effects of D.S. included diminished mental capacity, chronic respiratory issues, and often, a hole in the heart. Joe manifested the first two but not the third it was determined later. His parents were advised to seek an asylum for him. There was no way that was going to happen. They brought him home and his two brothers, Dan and Paul, were overjoyed to have a baby brother who would grow up with them and be the go-between in their sibling rivalries. After a while, it became evident that Joe was different. Eventually, the boys were told. Mary became involved in the National Association for Retarded Children, and lobbied the school department to provide programs for children like Joe in their schools. Eventually, with the help of the Massachusetts Chapter of NARC, MARC, programs were put in place and Joe attended Cambridge Public Schools for many years. As he grew up, he always had a smile and positive aura about him His speech development became a family project. He would not get what he asked for unless he made good on speaking up in his best fashion. It was a labor of love. As his brothers reached adulthood and left the family home for college and lives of their own, Joe was involved in activities through MARC and traveled with his parents, eventually visiting all 48 of the contiguous United States. He was an avid Boston Bruins fan, as well as a Red Sox fan. He collected game jerseys and eventually had one for every NHL and MLB team. He moved with his parents to Las Cruces, NM in 1986, after his father retired. He was active in programs in the city and also volunteered with his parents at El Caldito soup kitchen in Cruces. He brought joy and laughter to all who knew him and even to those who did not. He will be missed. After his father died in 2009, his brother, Paul Farren came to live with his mother and Joe. After five years, Mary passed away and Joe and Paul lived together until Joe needed more care than one person could possibly give. He was placed in a residence and had a dedicated and loving staff of caregivers who provided for his every need. Besides Paul and his wife, Nancy, he is survived by his "other brother", Dan and his wife, Marilyn, nieces Michelle Osso, her daughter Skylar Osso, and Katie Farrell (Paul's) and husband Chris, and nephew Michael Farren, his daughter Juliana Farren, and niece Jennifer Farren (Dan and Marilyn's) and her daughter, Azalea Farren, and son Michael Crowley, and many cousins, aunts and uncles. A "Celebration of Joe's Life Gathering" at the Las Cruces Elks Lodge located at 3000 Elks Drive on Saturday, March 18th at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joe's name to El Caldito Soup Kitchen. Send your check to P.O. Box 2833 Las Cruces, NM 88004 or your own favorite charity. https://elcaldito.wordpress.com/ PDF Printable Version