VERNON WINSTON FARRELL JR, October 31, 1933 – July 16, 2021. It is with joy that Michelle, Jacqueline [Roger] and Laurian [Dave] announce that their father lived a wonderful life to its fullest. At 87, Vernon was released from illness and transitioned peacefully to join his loved ones. Vernon is survived by: grandchildren Jasmine, Adam, Malcolm; former spouse Janice Sims-Farrell; siblings Rita, Kathleen, Garnet, Terrence, Charmaine, Carlyle; and a lively troupe of nieces and nephews in Canada, the U.S., England, Wales and Trinidad & Tobago. He will be remembered by the many students and teachers for whom he deeply cared. Vernon was the loving partner to Lorna Wiggan who was by his side when he passed.
Vernon had a twinkle in his eye and charm that was unrivaled. He loved making connections with people and had many deep and lasting friendships across the globe. To say he was proud of his daughters would be an understatement. At 6’ 4” tall, he stood out in a crowd — he was a man who carried himself with dignity and commanded the room, yet he was never want to give a friend “fatigue” or to “tek a lime”. That is because he was a son of the soil of Trinidad & Tobago and he was Trini to the bone. Vernon travelled home to spend his winters after retirement and maintained his childhood friendships and love of his culture. His friends became family and we are forever grateful to the Carrs, the Watsons and the extended Caesar family for their love and support.
Vernon emigrated from Trinidad to Canada in 1965, after a period of study in Ithaca, NY. His adopted country provided a place to raise his children, was where he earned a Master’s of Education at the University of Toronto, and is where he built a distinguished career as an Educator. Vernon was a school principal for over 27 years, in the North York Board of Education (later TDSB). He was a champion of students and held fast to the mantra “every student can learn”. He dedicated his life to identifying and dismantling the inequities in Ontario’s education system. He connected with students as individuals, he cared for them, and he cheered them on with the same vigour as his own children.
One could not know Vernon without knowing his deep love for the game of golf. He was an athlete at his core, having begun on the cricket pitch and was the first player to get a century at Fatima College in Port of Spain. But upon arriving in Canada the golf course and his golfing buddies soon took over as his number one love. He and Lorna travelled the world and enjoyed over 30 years together as companions. Although his body succumbed to illness, his sharp mind and his love for his family and friends kept him going much longer than anticipated. We are so grateful to have had this time on earth with our dear father. We experienced the trials and tribulations, and the greatest of life’s joys together. He will be greatly missed.
Public visitation will take place on the morning of Wednesday July 28th, 2021 at Marshall Funeral Home, 10366 Yonge Street in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Please visit www.marshallfuneralhome.com to register your intention to attend, as space will be limited. A private family funeral service will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Vernon’s name to the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora at York University. He would be thrilled to support this outstanding and important program. Please visit bit.ly/VernonFarrell to donate.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Vernon Winston Farrell Friday July 16th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Richmond-Hill, Province: Ontario