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Hundreds of donations have poured in for the two daughters of retired NYPD sergeant Steven Farrell, a West Sayville resident and Sayville Middle School security guard who died of a Sept. 11 related illness on the Fourth of July. He was 51.
In what’s been a tremendous show of heartfelt community support, nearly $26,000 has been raised on a GoFundMe funeral and memorial page established last week. As of this afternoon, 298 donations had been made.
“The continuing support (is) overwhelming and a real testament to (the) influence Steve had on those around him,” Michael Dease, the GoFundMe page’s organizer, wrote in an update. “Whether you knew Steve or not, your sense of community and support is incredible.”
Farrell served in New York City’s police force for 20 years, most recently with the 75th Precinct, which spans the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Cypress Hills and East New York. At the precinct, he was known as “a legend.”
Farrell is survived by his wife, Susan; two daughters, Ryan and Shannon; and his mother Barbara of Bayville. He was predeceased by his father Louis and his brother John.
You can click here to make a donation on the GoFundMe page set up for Farrell’s daughters.
“He was one of the most intelligent people I have known and took a great amount of pride in being a good cop and boss, always looking out for the people he worked with,” Dease wrote. “He … had a tremendous impact on everyone he worked around, and undoubtedly made his biggest contribution as a Field Training Sergeant to hundreds of officers he personally taught how to be good cops.
“Steve made a lasting impression on so many young officers and taught them how to stay safe and do the job right,” Dease added.
Farrell retired from the NYPD in 2018, and had since worked for Sayville schools.
Donor Karen Savage, a music teacher at Sayville Middle School, called Farrell “one of the best security guards that I have had the honor of working with.”
“He was one of the nicest people that I have ever known, always giving of himself to the students and staff,” Savage commented on the GoFundMe page. “He will be truly missed at the middle school. Sending love and prayers to his family.”
A funeral Mass was celebrated for Farrell on Saturday, July 10, at St. Lawrence the Martyr Roman Catholic Church in Sayville.
Photo above: GoFundMe
