Loved to travel, ski and Boston sports
NEWBURYPORT — Paul Joseph Farrington, age 78, most recently of Newburyport passed away peacefully on September 16 after a lengthy illness. Paul was born on September 16, 1946 in Melrose to the late John J. and Margaret (Moley) Farrington. He was raised in Wakefield and attended public school there. He was an athletic child and participated in hockey, baseball, track and cross country during his high school years. In addition, Paul served as an altar boy at St. Joseph’s Catholic church for many years. He graduated from Wakefield Memorial High School in 1964 and went on to Northeastern University where he earned a degree in finance and management in 1968.
After his college graduation, Paul became employed in the banking industry holding jobs at many local banks including Wakefield Savings Bank. In 1988 Paul founded North Atlantic Mortgage Corp. Paul’s diligent work ethic and keen business skills were instrumental in growing a thriving mortgage business helping many people buy new homes and refinance existing mortgages. His strong people skills as well as his attention to detail resulted in many long-time loyal customers. He was proud of his success in the mortgage industry often boasting that North Atlantic was listed among the top 40 mortgage lenders in Massachusetts for many years.
His mortgage business was located in Wakefield; however, over time Paul chose to leave his hometown and in 1987 moved east to the ocean. Paul made his home on Cape Ann, first in Beverly Farms then Ipswich and finally in Essex where he lived for 20 years. Paul loved Cape Ann feeling as if he was on vacation each time he left the chaos of the Route 128 commute behind him. He loved the Cape Ann community and developed strong friendships, spending most of each summer with his many friends at Long Beach in Rockport. Paul’s life was full of love for friends and his dogs; he lovingly cared for his two Cocker Spaniels Wendall and Baxter bringing them to the beach for long walks.
Paul was a dedicated Boston sports fan; he loved all the teams holding season tickets to the Bruins and Red Sox for many years. His happiest memory was going to game 4 at Fenway Park to see the Red Sox win the World Series at home. Paul was an excellent athlete throughout his life. He was an avid cyclist, golfer and an exceptional downhill skier. Skiing was his favorite sport, leading him to own several different ski homes in the White Mountains of NH.
Paul loved to travel. Some of his favorite trips included cycling through eastern Europe and many ski excursions to Vail, CO and Park City, UT with his skiing buddies.
Paul will be missed in so many ways. He was kind and generous to his family, friends and employees. He was funny, witty and had a dry sense of humor with a bit of a droll edge. Paul was a private person, strong-willed, fiercely independent and reluctant to ask for or accept help from others. In his final years he did accept the help and love of his family and close friends who were with him during his long illness. Despite his lengthy illness he never lost his fighting spirit or his sense of humor. All of his caregivers loved Paul’s bright personality and his witty stories of the old days.
Paul is survived by two brothers John M. Farrington and his wife Gail of Falmouth and Bruce A. Farrington and his wife Gail of Wakefield; three nieces Alicia M. Renna of Natick; Kara A. Farrington of Reading; and Kelli A. Farrington of Beverly; and two grandnephews Lucca and Anthony Renna. Paul is also survived by his former wife and good friend Maureen Farrington.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation and thanks to the care team of Port Health Care and Harborside Hospice who cared for Paul with love, kindness and compassion during the last years of his illness.
Paul will be interred with his parents at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Stoneham on September 30 at a private family service. In accordance with Paul’s wishes, a celebration of life luncheon will be held following his burial at 12:15 p.m. at Harrington’s Pub, 17 Water St., Wakefield where we invite friends to join us to honor and celebrate Paul’s life. Please bring a favorite story about Paul to share. We look forward to seeing you there.
Please consider a donation in Paul’s memory to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or online through its website at MichaelJFox.org which was a source of hope and encouragement for Paul or Harborside Hospice LLC at 241 Winter St #201, Haverhill, MA 01831, the staff of which cared so lovingly for Paul in his final months.
To offer online condolences please visit tlcfuneralhome.com.
