Lover of language, the sea, and the journey
Michael O. Farrell, beloved father, partner, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully after a life rich in adventure, intellect, and love. He was a man of a wide-open heart—equal parts ocean-deep thinker and mischievous storyteller. Michael lived his life with humility, humor, and an unwavering sense of right and wrong, a compass that guided every chapter of his extraordinary life.
Born in Massachusetts to Claire “Mother” Farrell and Thomas B. Farrell, Michael was raised at Salisbury Beach, just across the street from the Atlantic Ocean that would remain a lifelong source of comfort and inspiration. He spent many of his childhood days with his grandfather Edward and his brother Teddy (Thomas), learning, laughing, and soaking in the music, nature, and stories that shaped him. An avid reader and music lover from an early age, Michael took up the trumpet and cherished a rare moment from his youth—meeting Louis Armstrong, one of his idols, who performed at The Normandy, the beachside bar his parents ran.
At 15, Michael was accepted into Phillips Academy Andover, where he discovered a passion for the Russian language and the richness of its history. His intellectual curiosity and discipline later took him to West Point and eventually to Hampshire College, where he completed his degree in 1975. It was there that his adventurous spirit began to flourish fully.
He crisscrossed the country, working winters at ski resorts and tearing down black diamond slopes with enviable ease. He found joy in hard work and even more in the people and stories he encountered along the way. Michael began working as a Russian interpreter, never content with ordinary assignments—he preferred the ones that were unpredictable, like touring the Western U.S. with a Soviet cycling team, translation for the Soviet youth athletic games in Boston and high school exchange programs both in the US and Russia.
His work led him to postings in Russia, Austria, and beyond. In Moscow, he met Emilia, and together they had a daughter, Jessica, in 1987. One month later, the family—including Emilia’s son, Jan Bratslavsky—relocated to Salisbury Beach, Michael’s hometown. Though his marriage with Emilia later ended, Michael remained a steadfast and devoted father and stepfather, working nearby to remain a constant presence in their lives.
In time, his professional path led him to Radford, Virginia, where he joined Radva as a Russian language specialist. There, he spent many years working between the U.S. and Russia, deepening both his expertise and his friendships. It was during this period that Michael met Margaret Devaney, the love and partner of his life. Their bond was immediate and enduring. Margaret brought laughter, movement and deep love into his world. Together, they created a life that blended riverside contentment with grand adventure. Margaret became a beloved figure in Jessica’s life, and the trio made joyful memories: exploring the East Coast, traveling through Ireland, and finding peace and connection at Holden Beach and the River House Oasis in Floyd, Virginia.
Later, Michael worked as a government contractor and Russian specialist, taking him to far-flung places such as Houston, Texas; Votkinsk, Russia; Guantánamo Bay; and Washington, D.C. No matter where his work took him, he and Margaret found each other—meeting up in Spain, Turkey, Italy, France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Norway, Austria, among others, to continue their adventure.
Michael was deeply principled. He carried a “do-right” mindset—not with judgment, but with grace. He believed in fairness, honesty, and doing good for others without expecting recognition. He was deeply funny, often with a dry wit and a sparkle in his eye. His humility grounded him; he never needed the spotlight, yet his presence quietly touched all those he knew.
Even after a major stroke in 2016, Michael approached recovery with strength and calm. He retired but didn’t slow down—not really. He continued to read voraciously, travel when he could, and stay deeply engaged in the lives of those he loved.
One of his proudest titles, without question, became “Grandpa.” In 2021, he met his granddaughter, Klara Emilele Schwager, when she was just one year old in Virginia. In 2023, he traveled to Bavaria, Germany, to meet his grandson, Henry Tormic Schwager, at just one month old. And of course - they climbed a mountain together.
Michael is survived by his life partner, Margaret Devaney; his daughter, Jessica Farrell; his soon-to-be son-in-law, Benjamin Schwager; his grandchildren, Klara and Henry; his stepson, Jan Bratslavsky, and a far-reaching circle of loved ones around the world.
To know Michael was to know loyalty, wisdom, and warmth. He was the kind of man who could translate Dostoevsky, navigate world-travel, and never fail to make you laugh. He believed in making the world better—quietly, consistently, and with love. And that is exactly what he did.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 14, 2025 in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel.
