Francis Farrelly, 92, drove a CTA bus in Chicago for 30 years and received an award for driving 2 million miles without causing an accident. He also lived in the same house on Gunderson Avenue for 30 years and attended nearby Ascension Church for 30 years.
Mr. Farrelly, who died Oct. 27, 2010, will be buried out of Ascension Church on Monday morning, Nov. 8.
He is remembered as an avid golfer who, after he retired in 1982, played “the old course” at Columbus Park five days a week. After he moved to Boynton Beach, Florida he played regularly at the Leisureville Palm Beach course where he once scored a hole in one. That would be the same course where he once poked an alligator while intrepidly attempting to retrieve a lost golf ball.
The last surviving sibling in a family of seven brothers and four sisters, Mr. Farrelly was a native of Kingscourt, County Cavan, Ireland. He was born on May 24, 1918 and was a member of the John McGinty 32 Social Club.
He is survived by his children, Margaret (J. Michael) Bohlen, RoseAnn (J. Michael) Penn, Patrick (Anne, nee Muriello) and James (Mary Margaret, nee Walsh); grandchildren, Jennifer (Steve) Anderson, Justin, Paul, D. Bryan, Martin, Sean, Kelly, Erin, Jack, Connor; great-grandchildren, Saylor, Kingsley and Journey Anderson. Francis was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret M. “Peggy” Farrelly nee Casey; grandchild, P. Ryan Farrelly.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest, Il 60452 or to Hospice by the Sea, 1531 W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, FL 33486 are appreciated. Please make your donation in memory of Francis Farrelly.
Visitation is Sunday, Nov. 7 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Conboy–Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 West Cermak Road (two blocks west of Mannheim). Family and friends will meet at 9:45 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 8 for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Ascension Church, 815 S. East Ave., Oak Park. Interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Arrangements by P. M. Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Donald R. Smith director. More information at 708-681-5828.
