WARD, CO – Matthew (Matty) John Farr, 60, of Ward, CO, passed away from complications from a stroke on October 16th, 2024.
Matthew was born on May 29th, 1964 and raised in Westfield, MA. He was the youngest of the four children born to Donald and Ethel Anne Farr. He graduated from Westfield High School (1982), Holyoke Community College and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology.
He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Joseph Farr and sister, Eileen Farr Quinn. He is survived by his partner, Carolyn Peet of Ward, CO, his sister Dianne Farr Wawrzusin (husband, Mario) of Potomac, MD and two nephews, Dr. Peter Wawrzusin (wife, Dr. Nicole Sakla) and Daniel Wawrzusin (wife, Melanie Lukas) as well as his two special Aunts, Alice Whelan and Mary Jane Butler and his Uncle John, along with a bevy of cousins who he loved spending time with.
Matthew appreciated dearly hanging out with family and friends wherever he hung his hat at the moment – in Massachusetts, Florida, Vermont, (Cozumel) Mexico, and finally Colorado. He loved good conversation, was observant, creative and fun. He devotedly spent time at “419” helping his mom and Joe as a hands-on “doer” after dad died.
Matthew loved music. As a guitarist/singer he rocked on in “Killer Elite” while in high school and then with “Live Squid” for a long time. Band basement rehearsals at “419” were common with parents, Don and Mickie, simultaneously watching The Tonight Show in the living room above! Under the direction of Don Blair (Matthew’s guitar teacher) he played with the folk group at Blessed Sacrament’s gym mass. He was in the Children’s Choir at Blessed Sacrament with “mom” as director! His band and individual gigs covered the mapped areas of where he was living at any given time be they at bars/restaurants/clubs/weddings/funerals/Westfield community celebrations or at “Joe’s” in Cozumel where Reggae’s rhythms poured from the stage every night.
Matthew immensely appreciated the gift of nature – while walking behind “419” in the woods, at Tolland State Forest on the Otis Reservoir, at Nantasket Beach or on the Cape, camping in Alaska in Denali National Park, diving in Cozumel, or hiking in spectacularly beautiful areas where he resided in Colorado. His naturalist and outdoorsy self was a gift modeled to him by his dad. He painted pictures with his words in the newsy letters and postcards sent out to friends and family.
Matthew, we will miss the twinkle in your eyes, the strum on your guitar, and your booming voice like Elvis. As a long-time friend shared, we will miss your personality, as big as the “King.”
A funeral mass will be held on December 7th at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, 127 Holyoke Road, Westfield, MA followed by burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, PO Box 489, Westfield, MA 01086 or to a cause near to one’s heart. www.firtionadams.com
