Well done, good and faithful servant

Last week, the longest serving professor in the history of Saint Anselm College died.  Prof. Bill Farrell taught sociology at Saint Anselm for 54 years, retiring a few years ago.  I had the pleasure of having Prof. Farrell for a class during my junior or senior year, I can't recall exactly.  He was also the "Voice of the Hawks", serving as the PA announcer for basketball games for 50 years.

Prof. Farrell was the step-father of one of our parents, Peg Bourque P'14, P'17 and the step-grandfather of two of our finest students, Kasie '14 and Calie '17.  Kasie was an incredibly very active member of Campus Ministry and is now doing amazing things at St. Joseph's College in Philadelphia.  Mrs. O'Leary P'07, Mr. Sheehan '79, Mr. Smith, and I attended Prof. Farrell's funeral yesterday at Saint Anselm Abbey Church.  Abbot Mark Cooper, OSB was the celebrant and gave a brilliant homily.  At the end of Mass, Father Anselm Smedile, OSB read two of Prof. Farrell's poems, including one that seemed to be an ode to his wife, calling her God's gift to him.  It was quite moving.

There were a number of faculty in attendance, many who are now retired.  Prof. Farrell is one of the last of the "old guard", part of a generation of professors from the college who have died or retired.  

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, though the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.