Mr Michael Farrell of 18 Devereux Villas, who died recently was one of Wexford's great characters.
Mikie (87) who was known to many as 'The Governor' formerly worked as a docker on Wexford quays.
He was a founder member of Wexford O.N.E. (Organisation for Ex-Servicemen)and also Wexford Taperecording Club.

His involvement in O.N.E. stemmed from the tip he spent in The Curragh during the Emergency. He was also a sergeant in the FCA Camp in Gormanstown.
A son of Peter and Grace Farrell, he was born in Stonebridge Lane, South Main Street in 1924.
He was an only son with sisters Lil, Nancy and Sarah.
In 1946, Mikie met and married his beloved wife Statia and they enjoyed 45 years of happy marriage together until her passing in 1991.
The couple raised twelve children and later the family grew to include 37 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild born just four days after Mikie died.

Mikie is survived by his children Michael, Patsy, Sean, Fintan, Gracie, Patricia, Helen, Elizabeth, Mary, Stella and Noeleen.
He was sadly predeceased by his daughter Collette in 2005.
Mikie was an active man with many hobbies and interests during his life.
He was a keen gardener in his earlier days and had a passion for decorating.

He worked as a docker on Wexford quays alongside his father Peter and made many life-long friends through the job.
After helping to found the Wexford O.N.E. branch, he served as secretary of the organisation for many years.
As an active member of Wexford Taperecording club, he set up Tapes for Blind, recording songs, jokes and general gossip with his fellow club member, the late Sean Fenlon.

Mikie's children often took part in these recordings which were sent to blind people in England and elsewhere.
He had a talent for fundraising and if anyone needed help collecting funds, Mikie would be the first to lend a hand.
He helped Brother Kelleher of Wexford CBS to run a successful Silver Circle for years.
Wexford GAA was another passion and from the 1950s, he rarely missed a Wexford match.

He and his friends often recalled the memorable craic they had at GAA games.
He was very knowledgeable about the great Wexford teams of the '50s.
Mikie was a man whose wit and humour endeared him to everyone he met.
If a get-together needed livening up, he was the first to sing a song. His singing voice will be especially remembered in his local pub, Jack Bailey's.

Mikie's talent for singing earned him a Senior Citizen's Award in the Wexford Festival Opera Singing Pubs competition, representing the former Tower Bar with his party piece "The Old Refrain" which he always ended with the words "Sin a Bhfuil'.
Mikie lived a full and active life and enjoyed himself wherever he went.
The last big family gathering he attended was his daughter Noeleen's wedding three years ago.
Along with her husband Pat, Noeleen cared for her father in his final years at his home in Devereux Villas.

The huge turn-out at Mikie's funeral Mass in Bride Street Church was benefiting for a well-known and much-loved Wexfordman.
His family would like to thank Dr Ravi Kumar for taking care of him, the doctors and nurses at Wexford General Hospital, the staff of Kerlogue Nursing Home and the staff and drivers of St Bridget's Day Care Centre.
They also extend their gratitude to nurses Evelyn Danagher and Alison Gately for their kindness and help.
Burial took place in St Ibar's Cemetery, Crosstown.

- Courtesy of Wexford People, 7th March 2012 Tweet

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