Farrell D. Massey, 81, The Villages, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2020. He was born on November 14, 1939, son to the late Luther and Gladys Massey.
Farrell grew up in Benton, Arkansas and after graduating high school he joined the United States Navy on October 1, 1958. He served aboard the USS Hancock CV-19 and was deployed to Japan and Vietnam. While stationed briefly at the San Diego Naval Yard Petty Officer 2nd Class Journalist Massey met his future wife Connie. Farrell said the first time he saw Connie, when she walked in the room he had a lump in his throat and knew he was going to marry her. They were married for 59 years until Connie’s passing in 2018.
After Farrell’s discharge from active duty on November 5, 1962 he relocated to Dallas, Texas and worked as a salesman for Brown-Forman Distillers. Over the years, Farrell became one of the top salesperson in the company, always over exceeding sale projections and won many awards and trips to England and Puerto Rico. During his 35 year career, corporate transfers moved his family from Texas to Arizona to Indiana to Massachusetts and Cincinnati, Ohio; 14 homes later Farrell and his wife retired in 2000 to their final home in The Villages, Florida.
Farrell was a longtime member of the American Legion Veteran’s Memorial Post #347 in Lady Lake, Florida and Honor Guard. He was the Post Chaplain as well as the Honor Guard Chaplain and 40&8 Chaplain. He was an avid and accomplished golfer, with several holes-in-one, who loved to play with his friends, son and son-in-law, and couple golfing with his wife. He enjoyed reading, sports, weekend get-a-ways, concerts, jazz, and his wife playing the Navy Hymn on the piano. Farrell was extremely outgoing, easy to talk with, and the first person to welcome you and make you feel included. He was a great story teller, life of the party, had a wonderful smile and infectious laugh. He loved his family, tucked his wife in bed every night and was very proud of his children and grandchildren; as they were proud of him. Farrell will be missed.
Farrell is survived by his daughter Tracie Mucciarone and her husband John, Bellingham, Massachusetts, his son Dean Massey, Apollo Beach, Florida; granddaughter Carly Mucciarone, Bellingham, Massachusetts, and grandson, Ryan Massey, Lakewood, Ohio.
His service and interment will take place at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida on Monday Jan. 11th.