Our Staff
James J. “Barry” Farrell
Co-Founder
A lifelong resident of Holyoke, Barry attended St. Jerome Grammar and High Schools, graduating in 1933. Barry traveled nights by train to and from The New England School of Anatomy in Boston where he received his degree in Mortuary Science and was licensed in 1952. He served with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Barry worked for the John B. Shea Funeral Home for thirty-seven years and then joined Messier Funeral Home, which became Messier-Farrell Funeral Home in 1973. After eleven years with Messier Farrell Funeral Home, Barry co-founded the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home with his son Barry J. Farrell. James J. “Barry” Farrell passed away on April 26, 2002.
Barry J. Farrell
Co-Founder/Director
A lifelong resident of Holyoke, Barry attended Sacred Heart Grammar School, Blessed Sacrament School and was a 1980 graduate of Holyoke Catholic High School. He attended Holyoke Community College and New England Institute in Boston, graduating in 1982. He is a member, past President, and past Grand Mashall of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee and former member of the Board of Directors of City Co-Operative Bank. Barry worked for the Messier-Farrell Funeral Home for seven years before co-founding the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home with his father in 1984. He is the President & Owner and a Type-III Funeral Director and Embalmer.
James B. "Jamie" Farrell
Funeral Director
James Barry “Jamie” Farrell, lifelong resident of Holyoke and a graduate of Blessed Sacrament School and Holyoke Catholic High School, is a 3rd Generation Holyoke Funeral Director. He graduated from Bryant University in 2007 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. In 2013 he graduated from the Funeral Institute of the North East with an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Funeral Service. James is a registered Type-III Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer and has worked full time since 2007 and part time since 1999.