Tom Farrell, class '39

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Tom was born on 31st March 1920 in Bagenalstown. Both Tom's father and brother Michael also were doctors and Tom along with Michael spent happy years in Castleknock. Having qualified in medicine at RCSI in 1948 and completed his house jobs, one in Kilkenny of which he always had fond memories; Tom decided to spend some time in Dublin’s Coombe Women’s Lying in Hospital, located in one of the oldest parts of Dublin. There at first hand, he witnessed many of the social difficulties that beset Ireland in the immediate aftermath of the War years. He was good at Obstetrics – his time at the Coombe was to serve him very well in the years afterwards in Middlesboro in the North of England. Many years later he kindly passed on his treasured Kieland forceps to his nephew Michael, at the time also studying medicine at RCSI. Michael became a pathologist much to Tom’s disgust!

Tom competed for his late father’s vacant post as general practitioner in his native Bagenalstown but it was not be and soon afterwards he and his devoted wife Maura made the long and somewhat lonely journey to Middlesboro in the North of England where Tom joined a group of hard working, highly skilled old school doctors and very quickly established himself as an outstanding family practitioner, skilled in every area of medicine but especially in obstetrics or midwifery, as it was then called. The NHS was then in its infancy and work in in the North of England was challenging. Tom’s reputation grew; new practices surgeries were opened; more doctors joined the practice. Work was hard but rewarding. The North East of England was its industrial and chemical heartland. Occupational medicine became increasingly important. Tom rose to the challenge. He undertook many charitable works including Civil Defence and the Red Cross. He enrolled with the Red Cross in 1962 as Divisional President and went on to become Medical Officer for Cleveland. In this latter role he gave many lectures and participated in both adult and junior first aid training. He organised and assessed examinations for industrial and educational trainees. He was very keen in his support for Nazareth House at the time when it was occupied by children whose need he recognised to the full. As a doctor he was held in great affection by his patients who knew they had an indefatigable and caring doctor and who held them in the same great esteem as they held him. He had a special bond with the people of South Bank and district. He did all his own night calls and never refused a call. All his work was born out of a strong sense of duty and loyalty to the Hippocratic Oath.

Tom married Maura Evelyn Kearney, his lifelong love and wonderful companion and comforter. Despite his dedication and time-consuming approach to his work as a doctor, Tom still held his family and his roles of husband and father as his major priorities. His wedding to, and married life with Maura were made in heaven. They had five wonderful children, Patsy, Kate, Evi, Alice and Martin. Sadly, their youngest daughter Alice died at the age of 13 after her lifelong battle with asthma. Tom, Maura and family were devastated by Alice’s death, but called upon their strength of faith and God’s help to guide them through this difficult experience. For Tom, family was so important and his family describe him with great love. He was a father who was always there for his children to sort out anything that troubled them and was a tower of strength. He also enjoyed a special relationship with his nine grandchildren, who all loved him and were proud of him.

His spare time interests included (but not exclusively) fast cars and he regularly attended the British Grand Prix with lifelong friends Alan Ensoll, Geoff Eason and Bill Woodiwiss. There were many overnight drives in an XK120 to Le Mans for the 24 hour race, often followed by racing the XK in the historic race which preceded the main event.

Tom retired from medicine in 1984 and was diagnosed with heart problems but continued with his Red Cross work for a number of years and was later honoured by the Red Cross. He spent time in retirement on his collection of international Red Cross stamps. Tom survived his heart condition and associated illness for more than 20 years but gradually his health deteriorated. When Maura pre-deceased him it was a severe blow because they were so fond of each other. Maura once said in Tom’s presence to a close friend who was visiting him, “I want to die the day after Tom dies”. Sadly this was to happen in reverse and not immediately, but does exemplify the bond that existed between them.

Tom bore his illness with great dignity and fortitude and never spoke about it unless asked. His sharp wit and innate wisdom remained till the end, as did his lively curiosity and searching questions about people and the modern world. He retained that great physician’s ability to listen to people and to make sound judgments.

Tom had a great sense of humour, dry as sticks at times and impish with it. He played snooker with friends each Monday evening until the last year or so and had the amazing ability to hide the white ball out of play in a snookered position. His eyes then told all and everyone enjoyed the moment. He was the embodiment of the words of “When Irish eyes are smiling sure they steal your heart away”.

Many complimentary and true descriptions have been used about Tom as a father, friend and doctor. He was understanding, practical, patient, kind, constant, diligent, gentle and caring. His faith, like his devotion to his family, friends and patients reflected his love of God, because he did everything “ad majorem dei gloriam” - for the greater glory of God. Tom died in Middlesboro on 31st July 2006 at the age of 86.

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