Tribute to St. Lawrence Laurentian --- Ray Farrell

Raymond M. Farrell

Passed on: April 30th, 2012

Passed peacefully away at the Health Sciences Centre, St. John's, NL, on Monday, April 30, 2012, at the age of 60. Predeceased by his parents, Cecil and Laura Farrell. Left with fond and loving memories are his siblings: Jean Ann (Clyde), Aloysius (Emily), and Glenn (Patricia); nieces and nephews: Jonathan, Rebecca, Daniel, Rhea, Thomas and Lauren and his little dog Rufus, as well as a large circle of other relatives and friends. Visitation to take place from Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road on Wednesday, May 02, 2012 from 7 - 9 pm. Visitation and Funeral Service will take place in St. Lawrence on Thursday and Friday. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Raymond's memory to the Canadian Cancer Society. To send a message of condolence or to sign the memorial guest book please visit www.carnells.com





St. Lawrence Laurentians - 1967

Ray Farrell - (Front Row)  2nd from the left.



Ray was born in 1951. He grew up in St. Lawrence where Farrell's meadow became his soccer pitch. When he attended St. Augustine's High he was a star player for the House team called St. Dominic's and won the Scoring title twice.


He played Junior soccer from 1967 to 1970. In 1967 when Newfoundland first entered the National Challenge Cup, Ray, at the age of 16 played with the Senior Laurentians in Toronto against the Ontario Ballamena Club. St. Lawrence lost the game 3 -2 but it was a great experience for Ray's soccer career. He played both Junior and Senior until 1970 and then played one more year before moving to St. John's.


In 1973 Ray was a member of an All-Star Newfoundland team that toured England. Ray was singled out by English scouts as having great potential to advance in the game.


According to Wils Molloy who played with and against Ray, he was a very talented player. His heads-up play and his quickness with the ball on either wing gave many defenders a lot of trouble. He could score from almost impossible angles, low or high, it didn't matter.


His big test came in 1973 when he faced off against his beloved Laurentians on King George V pitch in St. John's. Ray scored two goals for Holy Cross in that game and was named the Most Valuable Player.


Ray was inducted into the St. Lawrence Hall of Fame in 1999.