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Patrick Farrow Obituary
1-1/2-7/42 - 6/1-5/09
CASTLETON - Patrick Villiers Farrow passed away in his home in Castleton, Vermont, on Monday, June 15, 2009. He was born on November 27, 1942, in Los Angeles, CA, the son of actress Maureen O'Sullivan and director-producer-author John Villiers Farrow. He grew up and went to school in Beverly Hills, CA and abroad in Spain and England.
His jobs earlier in life included acting in Hollywood in both TV and movies, serving as a Merchant Marine in the Pacific, and working as an artist for WPAT radio station in New York. Patrick came to Vermont in 1964 and discovered the place he wanted to live the rest of his life.
In 1966 he married Susan Hartwell-Erb with whom he shared his life. Together they raised their daughters and chose to live their lives as artists and active participants in the community. He worked for years trying to bring the arts to Rutland, serving as a board member of Moonbrook and the Chaffee Arts Center where he volunteered endless hours.
He was a lifelong peace and environmental activist, working to stop the Vicon incinerator from operating in Rutland and living as green as possible in his personal and professional life. In their early years together, Susan, Patrick and their young children lived off the grid in Oregon. He was known for being outspoken and active in his community and was conscious about issues facing the world at large. He was very generous with his artwork, donating to many worthy causes.
Patrick was instrumental in producing three highly ambitious exhibitions at the Chaffee: a retrospection on the American motorcycle; bringing a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall to Main Street Park; and the Aviation Exhibition, which included the display of a World War II Trainer Airplane. He convinced the state to close routes 7 and 103 from the airport in Clarendon to the Chaffee to make this possible.
He was a well-respected, highly regarded sculptor who was represented by many art galleries throughout the country. He was a Fellow in the National Sculpture Society in New York City but he believed in giving to the local community first, as exemplified in his gift to the city of Rutland, The Leash, a slightly larger than life racing dog and a parking meter that, with the absence of the leash, incorporates Patrick's ironic style. The parking meter represented the restraints of time while the dog was the beast who longed for freedom.
Patrick eschewed the privilege his family name guaranteed, choosing instead to live a full and satisfying life, working alongside his artist wife, Susan, in their home and gallery, housed in a former Catholic Church they rehabilitated on Main Street in Castleton.
Patrick is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susan, his stepfather James E. Cushing, and his daughters, Justine Farrow of Rutland, Brittney Farrow (Mitch Monetti) of Seattle, and Teressa Tucker (Mark) of Charlotte, N.C. He leaves behind his grandchildren, Arantha, Akim, Tayler, Cameron and Teagan. his siblings, Mia Farrow, John Farrow (Sandy), Stephanie Soghoian (Richard), Prudence Bruns (Al), Tisa Farrow, his brother-in-law Peter Erb (DeeDee), Irish aunts Sheila Mooney, Patricia O'Sullivan, and Betty O'Sullivan and his large extended family. He was predeceased by his parents, his older brother Michael Farrow and his beloved parakeet Clark, who sat on his head and went to work with him every day.
Friends may remember Patrick with donations to peace or environmental organizations of their choice. A celebration of Patrick's life will take place later this summer.
View the guest book at www.rutlandherald.com/ obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Patrick Farrow
Dear Susan,
A series of losses this summer has led me online to tracking friends of the past. How saddened to see that your partner of so long had passed.
Long ago and far away, you spent some days of summer with your brother (with whom I, as a young young woman, was besotted) at Spring Lake Ranch in Cuttingsville. Those days, the laughter, the goodness of the Ranch are with me always.
I want you to know that though our lives touched briefly, I have thought of you and your brother often and was heartened to see you had settled in Vermont. I do believe that your Patrick left his unique touch for fellow Vermonters and those of us New Englanders who wish we were home there with you.
Warm greetings from the past to you and to your girls and to Peter.
Paula Leonard Banda
July 2, 2009
Dear Susan and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Mr. Angel Kames
July 1, 2009
Susan & family, your loss is great right now but the gifts you have been given in having known Patrick will carry you through till you see him again May he rest in peace
Michele Clark
June 29, 2009
Dearest Mrs. Farrow,
I will always remember the kindess and patience you and Mr. Farrow showed me.
It was my first week working at the Grand Union in Rutland over 35 years ago!
You and Mr. Farrow were in my line and were very patient with the young girl who was so scared her first week!
You were sweet and offered soothing words while Mr. Farrow told stories and jokes.
You will never know how much that meant to this once timid girl.
The two of you made such an awesome impression on me over the years...
You had such obvious love for each other and were always either walking or riding your bikes.
Now 30 years later and having moved on from there I have always remembered your wonderful kindness and friendliness. Ok, Mr. Farrow's jokes were lame at times, but he had an infectious smile that you just could not help to return to the two of you.
So, for many years I had the honor, opportunity and priviliege to wait on you and listen to those lame jokes as you told me I really did not have to laugh at them!
I shared this story with my children many years ago as an example of how a marriage could really work if they loved each other as much as I could tell you and Mr. Farrow did.
I have moved on from Grand Union but took that wonderful memory with me.
Thank you so much for impacting my life in the manner that you did.
It is a sweet memory I always carry with me.
Mr. Farrow was a bigger than life person who always spoke to me whenever he saw me through the years.
I know he did not know my name and that made it all the more special.
I wish you peace in your heart, your love for him in your soul and the everlasting love I witnessed always in your soul.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart...
Mary
Mary
June 26, 2009
Dear Susan,
We were deeply saddened to hear about your loss of Patrick. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Julia and Joe Baginski
June 24, 2009
Dear Susan,
My Pug, Sara and I always enjoyed meeting you and Patrick on our walks in town.I remember once, when visiting the gallery,Patrick brought me in to meet Clark and you told me how you found him (Clark) walking down the street. I can't believe he is gone. I am so sorry, Susan, for your great loss. Ever since I've lived in Vermont (over 30 years) I have admired Patrick and loved his sculptures. I even have a file for "Patrick". You both have been so much in my thoughts and prayers this week and will continue to be.
God bless you, Susan, and give you comfort., Ginny
Virginia Maguire
June 22, 2009
Dearest Susan, We are sending you all of our love. Patrick was a beautiful man who loved you so much, and he's left behind a wonderful legacy and will never be forgotten. Please know that we are here for you in any way that we can be. Love, Karin and Bob (Birbeck)
Karin Birbeck
June 22, 2009
Dearest Susan and family
It was always fun visiting the Gallery and both of you. I always remember how proud Patrick was when he had purchased his Dyson vacuum cleaner and told me I could try it out if I vacuumed the Gallery. Olivia and I have you in our prayers.
Marie and Olivia Gawet
June 22, 2009
My deepest condolences and prayers for strength and comfort for Tisa and all the Farrow family.
Elizabeth Dulli
June 22, 2009
Dear Susan and Family,
While visiting a friend from Rutland last Summer, she brought us to your lovely gallery and home where we had the privilege of meeting and visiting with you and Patrick, and we purchased necklaces, mine being the Mother and Child, which I treasure. My thoughts and prayers are with you all and hope you find peace in your treasured memories.
Helen Bateman
June 22, 2009
Susan, I am so sorry. You and your family are very much in my thoughts. Kate sends her love, as well. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
Kirt Zimmer
June 21, 2009
Dear Susan and family, We are so very sorry for your great loss. Susan, you and Patrick were so warm and welcoming when we visited your gallery. You and your family are in our prayers.
Sheila and Langdon Clough
June 21, 2009
Susan and family,
We were deeply saddened to hear of Patrick's death.
Its been many years since we left Vermont, but we fondly remember all the years at Chaffee, and sharing our thoughts with you both about the church renovation prior to the gallery opening.
We are so sorry for your loss.
Linda and Al Friedman
June 21, 2009
20 June 2009
Susan and Family,
My sincere sympathy goes out to you and your Family.
I proudly bought one of Patrick's necklaces -- three dancers -- a long time ago, and I thoroughly enjoy it.
Marge Low
June 20, 2009
Susan, We always enjoyed seeing you and Patrick on one of your walks. Both of you have truly graced our community. We are sorry for the all of the pain that this has caused you. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Take care of yourself. Shirley and Dean
Shirley Seguin
June 20, 2009
Susan,
I'm so sorry for your loss of Patrick. My heart goes out to you and your children. I also regret that we did not have a chance to reconnect this summer during my short stay in Rutland, soon to end.
Cecelia Kane
June 20, 2009
Patrick
We will miss you. Thank you for the times you welcomed us to your gallery, for your conversation, for your warmth. Your wonderful talent will live on. Thank you for those gifts of work, large and small that have inspired all of us.
To Susan and family, We are deeply sorry. We send our love and hopes that the "winds will blow strong."
Martha and Ted
June 20, 2009
To Susan, Justine, Brittany and the extended family...
My sympathy and love are with you for the sorrow I share in the loss of Patrick. I have always had the highest regard for his humanity, humor, decency and values. I will hold a place for him in my heart always.
Andy Snyder
June 20, 2009
For Susan and family, our sincere condolences, we share your great loss and may the memories sustain us of this larger than life person, Patrick.
Arlene & Gene O'Connor
June 20, 2009
We always enjoyed our visits to Pat in the gallery. He was always so open and friendly with a dry wit and whimsicality that was evident in his artwork. We are so sorry for this loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bill and Jamie Dritschilo
June 20, 2009
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