Jeremy Farrell

Jeremy Farrell was unforgettable. A beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, Jeremy touched countless lives and brought so many people together in his 44 years of life. He passed away suddenly on Monday, December 4, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of empathy, service and community.

Jeremy, and his twin brother Jerome, were born on June 5, 1979, to Martin and Hattie Farrell in Burlington, Ontario. Jeremy enjoyed a wonderful childhood, filled with beautiful memories and he made lifelong friends. Jeremy attended Park Academy, Ascension Elementary, and Assumption Catholic Secondary School. In high school, Jeremy starred in several musicals, played football for 4 years, and was co-president of the student council, before attending McGill University in Montreal, graduating in 2003. Jeremy’s time at McGill sparked what would become a lifelong commitment to service, community and political action, when he served as Vice President of Government Affairs and the first black President of the Student Society of McGill University.

After graduating from McGill, Jeremy started a new chapter that would forever change the direction of his life when he moved from his native Canada to New Jersey to attend Seton Hall University School of Law as a recipient of a Distinguished Scholars Scholarship. At Seton Hall Law, Jeremy immediately stood out to faculty and fellow students with his big smile, his sharp mind, and his warm personality. He made more lifelong friends and continued his commitment to serving the communities he was a part of through his involvement with the Student Bar Association, Seton Hall’s Immigration Clinic, and the Office of Student Services. Jeremy’s time at Seton Hall Law also was the beginning of his work in New Jersey politics.

After graduating from law school and passing both the New York and New Jersey bar exams, Jeremy began his career as a Judicial Law Clerk in the United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey before becoming an associate at McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP. Jeremy made an immediate impact not just as an astute and diligent attorney but also as a member of legal community, helping to jumpstart various diversity programs at McElroy and the New Jersey legal community at large. Jeremy also moved to Jersey City during this time after spending several years in Newark, telling friends and family that he believed that Jersey City was a special place on the cusp of a renaissance.

Soon thereafter, Jeremy was introduced to Steven Fulop, then a young Jersey City Councilman. Jeremy and Steve immediately recognized that they shared a passion for community involvement. Over the next several years, Jeremy would partner with Steve in Jersey City to accomplish great things, first as a staffer and campaign manager for Steve’s mayoral campaign and then as Corporation Counsel for the City of Jersey City. During his time as Corporation Counsel, Jeremy served as lead attorney as the City saw major changes, including the elimination of duplicative and costly autonomous City agencies, the launch of Jersey City’s prisoner reentry program, instituting sick leave for Jersey City employers, the launch of the innovative Jersey City Summer Works program, establishing the City’s first Public Safety Citizen Advisory Board, the restructuring of the Department of Public Safety, and unprecedented real estate development.

After serving as Corporation Counsel and then Executive Director of the Municipal Utilities Authority, Jeremy joined the LeFrak Organization as the firm’s Special Counsel and Senior Managing Director of Community and Government Affairs. During his time at LeFrak, Jeremy worked hand-in-hand with the City of Jersey City on many vital public initiatives, including the installation of Water’s Soul, a monumental public art sculpture located on the Newport waterfront.

Jeremy is survived by his loving wife, Sarah, his son Aidan, his parents Martin and Hattie, his sister Cecily, and his twin brother Jerome. He also has numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.

Jeremy Farrell loved people and loved serving people. There are countless stories of Jeremy jumping in to give his time and attention to someone he had just met or dropping everything he was doing to be there for a loved one. He was a shoulder to cry on, a wise counselor, a couch to crash on, a mentor, a dance partner, a warm smile in the toughest moments. He was respected. He was admired. And he was loved. We will miss him dearly.

Please join us in honoring the life and legacy of our dear husband, brother, son, father, relative, mentor and friend Jeremy Farrell.

Saturday, December 9th, 2023 from 2 pm to 7 pm

McLaughlin Funeral Home

625 Pavonia Avenue

Jersey City, NJ 07306

(201) 798-8700

https://www.mclaughlinfh.com

By PATH Train: McLaughlin Funeral home is adjacent to the Journal Square PATH station Follow signs to Bus Platform D1 and exit to street. Funeral home is on the right.

Parking Info:   Validated parking for funeral home is located at 2 Journal Square Plaza Parking, 2940 Kennedy Blvd (silver building with Englewood Health sign on building parking in undergroud lot ). Please remember to bring your ticket with you to the funeral home for validation.  Street Parking is also available on the weekends in the area.

In lieu of flowers, as a tribute to Jeremy’s life and legacy, an endowed scholarship in his name will be created at Seton Hall Law School. Gifts to this scholarship fund can be made to Seton Hall Law by sending a check to Seton Hall Law, c/o Bank of America, P.O. Box 419852, Boston, MA 02241 or by going online to law.shu.edu/JeremyFarrellScholarship.  There is a direct link to the donation page found below.